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DEPARTMENT  OF  PUBLIC  SAFETY 


Bureau  of  Building  Inspection 

ROOMS  313-3l9a,  CITY  HALL 
PHILADELPHIA 

EDWIN  CLARK,  Chief 


LAWS  AND  ORDINANCES 

RELATING  TO  THE  BUREAU 


PHILADELPHIA : 
DUNLAP  PRINTING  CO.,  1332-38    CHERRY  ST. 
1907. 


ACTS  OF  ASSEMBLY 


No.  123. 

AN  ACT 

Entitled  an  act  to  create  a  Bureau  of 
Building-  Inspection,  and  to  regulate  the 
construction,  maintenance  and  inspection 
of  building's  and  party  walls  in  cities  of 
the  first  class. 

Section  1.   Be  it  enacted,  etc.,  That  there  Bureau  of 
shall  be  in  the  cities  of  the  first  class  a^J^J^^^^J^^S  J^n- 
Bureau  of  Buildiug  Inspection  attached  totablished. 
the  Department  of  Public  Safety,  and  under 
the  supervision  and  control  of  the  Director 
of  Public  Safety. 

Section  2.    The  chief  officer  of  said  Bu-Qualifica- 
reau  shall  be  called  the  Chief  of  the  Bu-^^o^^^^f^^hief 
reau  of  Building  Inspection,  and  shall  be 
eith^  a  practical  builder,  civil  engineer, 
nE>ricklayer  or  carpenter;  the  other  officers  Additional 
of  the  said  Bureau  shall  consist  of  such  oncers  of 
number  of  inspectors,  clerks  and  messen-^^Q®g^g^^j^^p_ 
gers  as  the  City  Councils  may,  from  time  point, 
to  time,  by  ordinance  determine.    All  of 
said  officers  shall  be  appointed  by  the  Di- 
rector of  Public  Safety.    All  of  the  inspec-Qualifi- 
tors  shall  be  either  practical  builders,  civil  cations  of  in- 
engineers,  carpenters  or  bricklayers,  but^P®^^^^^- 
shall  not  all  be  of  the  same  occupation. 
None  of  the  aforesaid  officers  shall  be  em-Shall  not  be 
ployed  or  engaged  in  any  other  business other 
or  be  interested  in  any  contract  for  build- 
ing  or  furnishing  materials  to  be  used  for 
building  in  the  said  cities.    The  City  Coun-  Sal.-u  ie- 
cils   shall,   from  time  to  time,   fix  their 
salaries.    Every  such  inspector,  before  he  Inspectors  to 
enters  upon  the  duties  of  his  office,  shall^jake  oath  or 
be  required  to  make  and  subscribe,  before 


289215 


2 


LAWS   RELATING    TO  BUILDINGS 


Form  of  oatk. 


some  person  authorized  by  law  to  admin- 
ister the  same,  the  following-  oath  or  af- 
firmation: "I  do  solemnly  and  sincerely 
swear,  or  affirm  (as  the  case  may  be),  that 
I  am  duly  qualified  by  law  to  act  as  an  in- 
spector of  building-s,  and  that  I  will  faith- 
fully, impartially  and  truly  execute  and 
perform  the  duties  of  an  inspector  of 
building-s,  and  see  that  the  building's  in- 
spected by  me  are  built  as  required  by  the 
laws  of  this  Commonwealth,  accordin,g'  to 
the  best  of  my  judgTuent  and  abilities." 
Which  said  oath  or  affirmation  shall  be  re- 
duced to  writing-  and  filed  in  the  office  of 
the  Prothonotary  of  the  Court  of  Common 
Pleas,  and  shall  be  entered  on  the  record 
in  said  office;  every  such  person  shall, 
moreover,  before  entering-  on  the  duties 
of  his  office,  execute  a  bond  to  the  Com- 
monwealth, in  the  sum  of  five  thousand 
dollars,  with  one  or  more  sureties  to  be 
approved  by  the  said  court,  or  by  two  of 
the  judges  thereof  in  vacation,  conditioned 
for  the  faithful  performance  of  the  duties 
imposed  upon  him  by  law,  which  bond 
shall  be  for  the  use  of  the  said  cities  and 
of  any  and  all  persons  who  may  be  ag- 
grieved by  the  acts  or  neglect  of  such  in- 
spector; and  the  bond  hereinbefore  pro- 
vided for,  conditioned  for  the  faithful  per- 
formance of  his  duties,  shall  be  cancelled 
and  marked  satisfied  of  record  by  the  City 
Solicitor  upon  the  request  of  the  Director 
of  Public  Safety;  who  shall  first  certify 
that  the  accounts  of  such  inspector  are 
correct,  and  that  there  is  no  default,  and 
no  claim  has  come  to  his  knowledge  from 
or  on  behalf  of  any  person  or  persons  al- 
leged to  have  been  aggrieved  by  the  acts 
or  neglect  of  such  inspector. 

Chief  of  Bu-  Section  3.  The  Chief  of  the  Bureau  of 
reau  to  have  Building  Inspection  shall,  under  the  direc- 
Sfd  ^nTrTl!  of  the  Director  of  Public  Safety,  have 

the  management  and  control  of  all  matters 


To  be  reduced 
to  writing 
filed  and  re- 
corded. 


Inspectors  to 

execute  bond 
in  sum  of 
$5000  for 
faithful  per- 
formance of 
duties. 


When  to  be 
cancelled  and 
how. 


AND   BUILDING  INSPECTORS. 


3 


pertaining  to  the  Bureau  of  Building  In- 
spection.    In  case  of  the  temporary  ab- When  ^deputy 
sence  or  disability  of  the  Chief  of  the  I^^^"  ^ o^ers^  o7 
reau,  the  Director  of  Public  Safety  ii^ay^^Ygf^^  ° 
appoint  one  of  the  inspectors  as  his  deputy, 
and  such  deputy  shall,  during  such  absence 
or  disabilit^^,  exercise  all  the  powers  of 
the  Chief  of  the  Bureau. 

Section  4.      The  inspectors .  of  buildings Examlna- 
shall,  under  the  direction  of  the  Chief  of  tions  of  build- 
the  Bureau  of  Building  Inspection  examine  *°ss. 
all  buildings  in  the  course  of  erection  as 
often  as  practicable,  and  shall  make  written  Written  re- 
reports  to  the  said  Chief  of  the  Bureau  of  Po^ts  of  vlslt- 
Building  Inspection  of  all  violations  of  this  chief! 
act,  together  with  the  street  and  number 
where  such  violations  are  found,  the  name 
of  the  owner,  agent  or  contractor,  and 
other  matters  relative  thereto.      The  in- 
spectors of  buildings  shall,  under  the  di- 
rection of  the  Chief  of  the  Bureau  of  Build-  Examina- 
ing  Inspection,  examine  all  buildings  ^^i^'a  ^nd^dan- 
ag'ed  by  fire  or  accident;   a  record  shall gfrj^^g  build-' 
be  made  of  all  walls  or  buildings  found  un-ings. 
safe  or  dangerous,  with  the  name  of  the 
owner  or  agent,  and  the  street  and  num- Record, 
ber  where  such  dangerous  walls  or  build- 
ings exist. 

Section  5.    It  shall  be  unlawful  to  pro- Permits  for 
ceed  with  the  erection,  enlargement,  altera- erection,  al- 
tion,  repair  or  removal  of  any  building  oi*^^st!°be* 
part  thereof,  or  any  platform  or  staging ^^^^^j  e  o  - 
to  be  used  for  standing  or  seating  pur- 
poses, or  of  any  structure  within  the  mean- 
ing of  any  of  the  provisions  of  this  act, 
unless  a  permit  shall  first  be  obtained  from 
the   Bureau   of  Building   Inspection;    ap- Application 
plication  for  permits  shall  be  made  in  writ-'or  permits, 
ing  by  the  owner  or  his  agent,  and  shall 
be  made  upon  forms  or  blanks  to  be  issued  How  ;to  be 
for  that  purpose;  the  said  application  shall 
remain  on  file  with  the  Bureau  of  Building  to  be  filed. 
Inspection.    The  Chief  of  the  Bureau  may 


4 


LAWS   RELATING    TO  BUILDINGS 


Plans  and 
specifications. 


Affidavit. 


Plans  and 
specifications 
approved  by 
Bureau. 


Notice  to  per- 
sons affected 
by  proposed 
work. 


Plans  and  de 
tailed  state- 
ments. 


Buildings,  ; 
etc.,  must  con- 
form to  appli- 
cation, plans, 
etc. 


Duplicate  set 
of  approved 
plans  and 
specifications. 


Chief  or  In- 
spectors may 
order  changes. 


Notice  to  be 
given. 


require,  in  addition  to  the  application  for 
a  permit,  such  plans  and  specifications  as 
shall  sufficiently  set  forth  the  extent  and 
character  of  the  work  in  all  its  structural 
parts,  tog'ether  with  an  affidavit  of  the 
truth  of  the  facts  set  forth  in  the  applica- 
tion,  and  no  permit  shall  be  given  until 
the  application,  together  with  the  plans 
and  specifications  accompanying  and  il- 
lustrating the  same,  have  been  approved 
by  the  Bureau  of  Building  Inspection;  but 
no  such  plans  and  specifications  shall  be 
approved  unless  they  conform  to  the  pro- 
visions of  this  act.  The  Chief  may  require 
any  applicant  for  a  permit  to  give  notice 
of  the  application  to  any  persons  whose 
interests  may  be  alfected  by  the  proposed 
work.  Nothing  in  this  section  shall  be  con- 
strued to  prevent  the  Chief  of  the  Bureau 
of  Building  Inspection  from  granting  a  per- 
mit for  the  erection  of  a  building  or  other 
structure  where  plans  and  detailed  state- 
ments have  been  presented  for  the  same 
before  the  entire  plans  and  specifications 
have  been  submitted. 

Section  6.  It  shall  be  unlawful  to  erect 
any  building  or  other  structure,  for  which 
permit  has  been  granted,  except  it  be  in 
conformity  with  the  application  and  the 
plans  and  specifications  on  file  and  ap- 
proved by  the  Bureau  of  Building  Inspec- 
tion. A  duplicate  set  of  the  approved  plans 
and  specifications  must  be  kept  at  the 
building  or  other  structure  during  its  erec- 
tion or  alteration  and  be  accessible  at  all 
fuies  to  the  inspector.  The  Chief  of  the 
Bureau  of  Building  Inspection,  or  any  in- 
spector of  said  Bureau  under  the  direction 
of  the  Chief,  shall  have  authority  to  order 
any  change  from  the  application  or  plans 
and  specifications  on  file  in  the  office  of 
the  Bureau.  Should  it  be  found,  upon  in- 
spection, that  there  are  conditions  which 
make  such  change  necessary,  notice  of  such 


AND   BUILD  fNG  INSPECTORS. 


5 


change  shall  be  gfiven  in  writing-  to  the 
owner  or  his  agent,  or  to  the  contractor 
in  charge  of  the  work:  Provided,  That  no  Proviso, 
such  change  shall  be  made  except  it  con- 
form to  the  provisions  of  this  act. 

Section  7.    Permits  shall  be  granted  or  Permits  shall 
refused  within  fifteen  days  after  the  ap-^^^^^^^^^^^^^^r 
plication  and  the  submission  of  the  plans  ^^f^teen^ 
and  specifications.    Every  permit  shall  belays, 
considered  cancelled  if  active  work  is  not 
commenced  within  the  period  of  six  months  Cancellation, 
from  the  date  of  its  issue.  Ordinary  repairs 
to  buildings  may  be  made  without  notice  Ordinary  re- 
to  the  Bureau  of  Building  Inspection,  butPairs  may  be 
such  repairs  shall  not  be  construed  to  notice^" 
elude  the  cutting  away  of  any  stone  or 
brick  wall,  or  any  portion  thereof,  the  re- 
moval or  cutting  of  any  beam  or  support; 
or  the  removal,  change  or  closing  of  any 
stairway. 

Section  8.      Any  applicant  for  a  permit  Appeals  from 
from  the  Bureau  of  Building  Inspection  B^reLT  or^or- 
required  by  the  act,  whose  application  ha^  ^er  of  inspec- 
been  refused  or  anj  person  who  has  beer  tor. 
ordered  by  the  inspector  to  incur  any  ex- 
pense, may  appeal  by  giving  notice  in  writ- 
ing of  such  appeal.    If  the  appeal  shall  be  if  from  an  or- 
from  an  order  refusing  a  permit,  it  shall  ^^^^  refusing 
be  taken  within  fifteen  days  from  the  re- 
fusal of  such  permit  and  not  thereafter. 
If  the  appeal  is  from  an  order  to  take  down  If  from  an  or- 

and  remove  a  dangerous  building*  or  struc-^^^  remove 

t  1-,  11     . .    1    n  dangerous 

ture,  or  a  dangerous  wall  or  walls,  it  shall  ^^jf^jj^g 

be  taken  within  three  days  from  the  is- walls, 
suing  of  such  order  and  not  thereafter. 
In  computing  the  time  within  which  ar  Computation 
appeal  may  be  taken,  if  the  last  day  shar^^ 
fall  on  Sunday  or  on  a  legal  holiday,  the ''PP^^^'''^' 
appeal  shall  be  taken  on  the  preceding 
day.    Notice  of  appeal  may  be  given  b^  Notice  of  ap- 
leaving  the  same  at  the  offtce  of  the  Bii- P?^^' 
reau  of  Building  Inspection,  either  witl^^^^^' 
the  inspector  or  with  the  Chief  of  the  Bu- 
reau or  with  the  clerk. 


6  LAWS    RELATING    TO  BUILDINGS 


Appeal  after 
permit  has 
been  issued. 


Board  of 
Appeal. 


Appeal  from 
decision  of 
Board. 


Examining 
Commission 
to  be  appoint- 
ed to  consider 
appeal. 

Decision  shall 
be  final. 

Compensa- 
tion. 

When  decision 
of  Inspector 

shall  be  final 


When  decision 
of  Board  of 
Appeal  shall 
be  final. 


Section  9.  Any  person,  the  value  of  whose 
property  may  be  affected  by  work  done 
or  to  be  done  under  any  permit  granted 
by  the  Bureau  of  Building*  Inspection,  may, 
within  three  days  after  the  commencement 
of  the  work,  appeal  by  giving*  notice  in 
writing  that  he  does  so  appeal.  All  cases 
in  which  appeals  have  been  taken  as  above 
provided  shall  be  referred  to  the  entire 
corps  of  building  inspectors  as  a  Board  of 
Appeal.  The  said  Board  of  Appeal  shall, 
after  hearing,  direct  the  inspector  to  issue 
his  permit  under  such  conditions,  if  any, 
as  they  may  require,  or  to  withhold  the 
same,  or  make  such  other  and  further 
order  in  the  premises  as  to  the  board  shall 
seem  proper;  Provided,  That  should  any 
party  aggrieved  object  to  the  decision  of 
the  Board  of  Appeal,  he,  she  or  they  may 
further  appeal  in  writing  to  the  Director 
of  the  Department  of  Public  Safety  within 
three  days  of  the  decision  of  the  Board  of 
Appeal,  specifying  in  such  appeal  the 
reasons  and  ground  therefor,  and  accom- 
panying- the  same  by  the  sum  of  thirty  (30) 
dollars.  The  Director  of  the  Department 
of  Public  Safety  shall  thereupon  appoint 
an  examining  commission^  to  consist  of 
three  disinterested  experts,  who  shall  be 
either  master  builders,  engineers,  or  archi- 
tects, who  shall,  within  such  time  as  the 
director  shall  specify,  carefully  consider 
the  said  appeal  and  make  decision  thereon. 
The  decision  of  any  two  shall  be  the  de- 
cision of  the  commission.  They  shall  be 
paid  for  their  services  ten  (10)  dollars  each. 

Section  10.  The  decision  of  a  building  in- 
spector, unappealed  from,  shall  be  final 
and  conclusive  in  any  subsequent  proceed- 
ing on  the  matter  in  question  in  court  or 
otherwise.  The  decision  of  the  Board  of 
Building  Inspectors  as  a  Board  of  Appeal, 
in  case  such  decision  is  not  appealed  from 
as  above  provided,  shall  be  final  and  con- 


AND    BUILDING  INSPECTORS. 


7 


elusive   ill   any   subsequent  proceeding-  in 
court  or  otherwise.    The  decision  of  the  When  decieion 
examining-  commission,  in  case  of  appeal^^  examining 
,  1,  •     •  1,   n  1      r>     1        1  commission 

to  such  commission,  shall  be  final  and  con-gj^^jj  nnsLl. 

elusive  when  certified  to  the  building-  in- 
spectors: Provided,  however,  That  no  com- 
mission,  named   in   accordance   with  this 
act,  shall  have  any  power  or  authority  to 
set  aside  or  nullify  or  alter  any  of  the  Commission 
provisions  herein,  or  order  or  require  anyj^f^^^^^  ^.^}^' 
permit  to  be  issued  for  a  buildings  to  be^j  act?^^^^^^^^ 
constructed  otherwise  than  is  herein  re- 
quired. 

Section     11.      All     building-s     hereafter  Buildings  to 
erected  or  altered  in  said   cities,   ^^^®P^  busUble^  ma^" 
such  as  are  hereinafter  provided  for,  shall  ^gpi^j 
have   all   outside    or   division   walls  con- 
structed of  stone,  brick,  iron  or  other  hard^ 
non-combustible  material,  properly  bonded  Material  and 
and  solidly  put  together;  all  the  said  walls^^'^^*^^^^^^^- 
shall  be  built  to  a  line  and  carried  up 
plumb  and  straight,  and  the  several  com- 
ponent parts  of  such  buildings  shall  be 
constructed  in  such  manner  as  herein  pro- 
vided.   Provided,  That  Councils  may,  by  a  Frame  build- 
general  ordinance,  permit  and  regulate  the*^^^.  rural 
construction    of   frame    buildings    in  the^P^^^'g^^^^ 
rural  portions  of  said  cities,  within  such 
limits  as  may  be  designated  in  said  ordi- 
nance. 

Section  12.    The  foundation  walls  of  allFoundation 
building-s,  excepting-  those  that  are  erected 
on  wharves  or  wharf  piers  on  a  water 
front,  shall  be  laid  not  less  than  three  feet 
below  the  exposed  surface  of  the  earth  on 
the  solid  g-round  or  level  surface  of  rock. 
Where  solid  earth  or  rock  is  not  obtainable, 
the   said  walls  may   be   supported   by  a 
foundation   of  wooden   piles   or   caissons,  Piles  or  cais- 
filled  with  concrete  or  such  other  founda-**'^®* 
tion  as  the  Bureau  of  Building-  Inspection 
shall  direct.   Piles  intended  for  a  wall,  pier 
or  post  to  rest  upon  shall  not  be  less  than 


8  LAWS   RELATING    TO  BUILDINGS 


Concrete. 


Piles  to  be 
hard  wood. 


Load  limits  of 
other  founda- 
tion. 


Dimensions      five  (5)  inches  in  diameter  at  the  smaller 
of  piiL!"^'"^^     end,  and  shall  be  spaced  not  more  than 
thirty  (30)  inches  on  centres,  or  nearer  if 
required  by  the  Bureau  of  Building-  In- 
spection,  and  they  shall  be  driven  to  a 
Weight  not  to  solid  bearing*.    No  pile  shall  be  weig^hted 
exceed  40,000      •xi,  i      j  -i'  t>     i  ji 

pounds  with    a    load    exceeding-    forty  thousand 

(40,000)  pounds.  The  tops  of  all  piles  shall 
be  cut  oif  below  the  lowest  water  line 
where  required;  concrete  shall  be  rammed 
down  in  the  interstices  between  the  heads 
of  the  piles  to  the  depth  and  thickness  of 
at  least  twelve  (12)  inches,  and  for  one 
foot  in  width  outside  of  the  piles.  Where 
ranging-  and  capping  timbers  are  laid  on 
piles  for  foundations,  they  shall  be  of  hard 
wood,  not  less  than  six  (6)  inches  thick, 
and  properly  joined,  and  their  tops  laid 
below  the  lowest  water  line. 

Section  13.  Foundations  of  other  ma- 
terials than  piles  shall  be  so  proportioned 
that  the  loads  upon  the  soil  shall  not  ex- 
ceed the  limits  for  the  different  lands  of 
soil  than  herein  given,  to  wit:  sand  and 
loose  gravel,  three  and  one-half  tons  per 
square  foot;  dry,  hard  clay,  three  and  one- 
half  tons  per  square  foot;  cemented  gravel, 
six  tons  per  square  foot;  for  soils  other 
than  those  above  specified,  the  loads  to 
be  determined  by  the  Bureau  of  Building 
Inspection.  No  foundation  shall  be  laid 
on  any  soil  containing  organic  matter. 
The  footing  or  base  course  shall  be  of 
stone  or  concrete,  or  both,  or  steel  beams 
bedded  in  concrete,  or  concrete  and 
stepped-up  brickwork;  all  of  the  said  footr- 
ing  or  base  courses  to  be  of  sufficient 
thickness,  breadth  and  strength  to  safely 
bear  the  weight  to  be  imposed  thereon.  If 
If  of  concrete,  the  footing  or  base  course  be  of  concrete, 
the  concrete  shall  not  be  less  than  twelve 
If  of  stone.  (t2)  inches  thick;  if  of  stone,  the  stones 
shall  be  laid  edge  to  edge,  and  shall  not 
be  less  than  two   (2)   by  three   (3)  feet. 


Footing  or 
base  course, 
construction 
of. 


AND   BUILDING  INSPECTORS. 


9 


and  at  least  eight  (8)  inches  in  thickness 
for  walls,  and  ten  (10)  inches  in  thickness 
for  piers  or  columns.    If  stepped-up  foot-  if  stepped- 
ings  of  brick  are  used  in  place  of  stone  ^P^^^^^^^s  of 
above  the  concrete,  the  oif  sets  shall  be  laifl  ^sed. 
in  single  courses,  and  shall  not  exceed  one 
and  one-half  inch,  starting  with  the  brick- 
work; covering  the  entire  width  of  the  con- 
crete.   If  steel  beams  or  rails  are  used  If  steel  beams 
for  a  footing  or  base  course,  they  must  be  ^^^^^^  ^ 
thoroughly  embedded  in  concrete,  the  in- 
gredients of  which  must  be  such  that  after 
proper  ramming  the  interior  of  the  mass 
will  be  free  from  cavities;  the  beams  or 
rails  must  be  entirely  enveloped  in  con- 
crete, and  around  the  exposed  external  sur- 
faces of  such  concrete  there  must  be  a  Concrete  and 
coating  of  cement,  of  standard  quality,  at  cement, 
least  one  (1)  inch  thick;  this  concrete,  and 
all  concrete  in  contact  with  metal  work,  Portland  ce- 
shall  be  made  of  Portland  cement,  and  the 
broken  stone  used  shall  not  be  limestoneNo  limestone 
of  any  character.  to  be  used. 

Section  14.   All  foundation  walls  and  eel- Foundation 
lar  walls  shall  be  built  of  stone  or  brick;  ^^^j^^' 
if  constructed  of  stone,  they  shall  be  at  ' 
least  six  (6)  inches  thicker  than  the  wall" 
next  above  them  to  the  depth  of  twelve 
(12)  feet  below  said  wall,  and  shall  be  in- 
creased  six    (6)   inches  in  thickness  for 
every  additional  ten  (10)  feet  in  depth  be- 
low the  said  twelve  feet;  and  if  of  brick,  if  of  t>rick 
they   shall  be   at  least   four    (4)  inches 
thicker  than  the  wall  next  above  them  to 
a  depth  of  twelve  (12)  feet  below  the  said 
wall,  and  shall  be  increased  four  (4)  inches 
in  thickness  for  every  ten  (10)  feet  below  Where  foun- 
said  twelve  feet;  if  there  be  cellars  or  ex- Rations  start 
cavations,  foundation  walls,  except  in  dwell- ^J^jf^^J®^^^^* 
ing  houses,  shall  start  at  least  twelve  (12) 
inches  below  the  cellar  bottom.    Founda- Foundation 
tion  walls  for  dwellings,  private  stable  stalls  of  dwel- 
and  carriage  houses,  and  buildings  of  n  etc.^'^' 
light   character,   if   of   stone,    shall  not 


10  LAWS    RELATING    TO  BUILDINGS 


Foundation 
walls  not  to 
be  above  curb 
level. 

Buildings 
exempt. 


Stone  walls, 
how  to  be 
laid,  etc. 


Headers 
through 
walls. 


Bedded  in 
mortar. 


Walls  for  un- 
derpinning. 


Wedges. 


Battered 
walls. 

When  lime 
mortar  may 
be  used. 


be  less  than  eighteen  (18)  inohes  thick;  all 
foundations  shall  be  sufficiently  strong-  to 
resist  lateral  pressure.  In  building-s  built 
to  the  street  g'rade,  the  foundation  shall 
not  be  built  above  the  curb  level:  Pro- 
vided, That  the  Bureau  of  Building-  Inspec- 
tion may  exempt  building's  from  this  re- 
quirement when  it  appears  to  the  Bureau 
that  the  buildings  are  located  on  a  street 
which  is  not  likely  to  be  used  for  business 
purposes,  and  that  the  said  Bureau  may 
make  necessary  rules  and  regulations  for 
such  exemption. 

Section  15.  All  stone  walls  shall  be  laid 
to  a  line,  plumb  and  straight,  and  shall  be 
faced  on  both  sides.  Walls  twenty-four 
inches  or  less  in  thickness  shall  have  at 
least  one  header  extending  through  the 
walls  every  three  (3)  feet  in  height  from 
the  bottom  of  the  wall  and  in  every  four 
(4)  feet  in  length,  and  if  over  twenty-four 
inches  in  thickness  shall  have  one  header 
for  every  six  (6)  superficial  feet  on  both 
sides  of  the  wall.  All  headers  shall  con- 
sist of  good  flat  stones;  each  stone  shall 
be  thoroughly  bedded  in  mortar  under  the 
entire  area,  in  such  manner  that  it  will 
not  rock.  All  interstices  between  indi- 
vidual stones  must  be  thoroughly  filled 
with  mortar,  and^  if  the  spaces  should  be 
large,  pjieces  of  broken  stone  must  be 
driven  into  the  mortar.  Walls  used  for 
underpinning  shall  be  composed  of  large 
flat  stones  or  hard  brick,  as  the  Bureau  of 
Building  Inspection  may  direct,  the  said 
walls  to  be  laid  up  in  cement  mortar. 
Where  wedges  are  used,  the  said  wedges 
shall  be  of  iron  or  steel.  This  section 
shall  not  be  construed  to  prevent  the  build- 
ing of  such  battered  walls  as  shall  be  ap- 
proved by  the  Bureau  of  Building  Inspec- 
tion. 

Section  16.  Foundation  walls  of  dwell- 
ings,   stables    and    carriage    houses,  and 


AND   BUILDING   INSPECTORS.  11 


buildings  of  similar  light  construction,  may 
be  laid  in  lime  mortar.  The  foundation 
walls  of  all  other  buildings  shall  be  laid  in 
cement  mortar:  Provided,  That  this  sec-Proviso, 
tion  shall  not  be  construed  to  prohibit  the 
use  of  cement  and  lime  mortar,  when  in 
the  judgment  of  the  Chief  of  the  Bureau 
of  Building  Inspection  the  nature  of  the 
construction  may  permit  of  its  use. 

Section  17.    It  shall  be  unlawful  to  use  Concrete  and 
concrete,  or  mortar  of  any  kind,  the  in- f^o^^^'^  ^® 
gredients   of   which   are   not   thoroughly ^^P^^^^^  Y 
mixed,  and  which  are  not  free  from  lumps 
or  other  unmixed  portions  of  any  of  the 
ingredients.    Cement  mortar  shall  be  "^^^^^^f^QQ^^^ 
of  sand  and  cement  in  the  proportions  of]y[ortar 
not  more  than  three  parts  of  sand  to  one 
part  of  cement,   and   shall  be  used   im  Proportions 
mediately  after  mixing.    Cement  and  and^^ltoe^ 
mortar  shall  be  made  of  one  part  lime,  onej^Qpt^r. 
part  cement,  and  three  parts  sand  to  each. 
Lime  mortar  shall  be  made  of  not  more  Lime  mortar, 
than  four  parts  of  sand  to  one  part  of 
fresh-burnt  lime,  and  shall  not  be  used  be- 
fore being  thoroughly  slaked.  Concrete  f  oi  Concrete,  how 
footings  and  foundations  shall  be  made  of^o  ^®  made, 
one  part  of  cement,  two  parts  of  sand, 
and   five   parts    of    small,    clean,  broken 
stones.   Cement  used  in  all  the  said  mortars  Portland 
and  concrete  shall  be  Portland,  or  other 
equally  good  quality;   the  sand  shall  be  Sand, 
clean  and   sharp   and  free   from  earthy 
matter. 

Section  18.    The  thickness  of  brick  walls  Minimum 
for    business,    manufacturing    and   P^^^^^^rick^  walls' 
buildings,  seventy-five  to  one  hundred  and  ^ J^^y^^  J^^gg 
twenty-five  feet  long  by  twenty-six  feet  or  Manufactur- 
less,  clear  span,  shall  not  be  less  than  theing  and  pub- 
number  of  inches  in  the  following  table :  he  buildings. 


12  LAWS    EELATING   TO  BUILDINGS 


STORIES. 


One-story  

Two-siory  

Three-story.. . 

Four-story  

Five-story  

Six-story  

Seven-story. . 
Eight-story... 

Nine-story  

Ten-story  — 
Eleven-story. 
Twelve-story. 


80 


34  80 
84  84 


13 

18  13 
1818 
18|18 
2218 
22  22 
26  22 


Less  than  75  buildings  of  the  same  character^  less 

feet  long,  than  seventy-five  feet  long*;  also,  hotels, 
apartment  and  tenement  houses,  the  thick- 
ness of  the  v^alls  may  be  reduced  by  mak- 
ing the  three  upper  stories  thirteen  (13) 
inches  thick,  and  following  from  that  down 
to  the  lowest  story  in  the  same  sequence 
Non-bearing  as  in  the  above  table.  Non-bearing-  walls 
walls.  .  of  buildings,  hereinbefore  in  this  section 

specified,  may  be  four  (4)  inches  less  in 
Proviso.  thickness:   Provided,  however.  That  none 

are  less  than  thirteen   (13)   inches  thick 
except  as  hereinafter  specified.    If  there 
Clear  span  o£  is  to  be  a  clear  span  of  over  twenty-six 
over  26  feet,   feet  between  walls,  the  bearing  walls  shall 
be  four  (4)  inches  more  in  thickness  than 
is  in  this  section  specified,  for  every  thir- 
teen (13)  feet  or  fraction  thereof,  the  said 
w^alls  are  more  than  twenty-six  feet  apart; 
Buildings        all  buildings  over  one  hundred  and  twenty- 
over  125  feet  five  feet  in  length  or  depth,  without  a 
cross  wall  or  proper  piers  or  buttresses, 
shall  have  ^he  side  or  bearing  walls  in- 
creased in  thickness  four  (4)  inches  more 


AND   BUILDING   INSPBCTOBS.  13 


than  is  specified,  for  every  seventy-five  (75) 

feet  or  fraction  thereof  that  said  walls 

are  over  one  hundred  and  tw^enty-five  feet 

In  length.    The  amount  of  materials  else- 

pvhere   herein   specified   may  be   used  in 

either  piers  or  buttresses,  but  no  curtain  Thickness  of 

pvall  between  such  pier  or  buttress  shall ^^^^^^ 

be  less  than   thirteen    (13)    inches  thick. 

Walls  surrounding  stairs,  elevator  shafts, '^^.^^^  about 

lire  escapes  and  light  wells,  if  of  t>rick,^^^^g{^^^[g^'^" 

ghall  not  be  less   than   eight    (8)    inchesg^c^  thickness 

thick;  but  they  shall  be  increased  in  thick- of.  ' 

riess,  with  the  increase  in  height,  to  a 

sufficient  extent  to  keep  the  load  on  the 

brick  work  within  the  maximum  load  else- 

ivhere  herein  specified.      Nothing  in  this 

section  shall  be  construed  to  prevent  the 

erection  of  light  wells^  constructed  of  a  Light  wells  of 

framework  of  iron  or  steely  filled  in  with^^on  or  steel. 

g"lass. 

Section  19.    The  height  of  stories  for  all  Height  of 
g^iven  thickness  of  walls  must  not  exceed  atones 
Bleven  (11)  feet  in  the  clear  for  basement, 
eighteen  (18)  feet  in  the  clear  for  the  first 
story,  fifteen  (15)  feet  in  the  clear  for  the 
second   story,   fourteen    (14)   feet  in  the 
clear,  average  height,  for  any  upper  story; 
and  if  any  story  exceeds  these  heights, 
respectively,  the  walls  of  'such  story  and 
all  the  walls  below  the  same  shall  be  in- 
creased four   (4)   inches  in  thickness,  ad-  Increase  of 
iitional    to    the    thickness   already  men- 
lioned. 

Buildings 

Section  20.    Stores,  warehouses  and  fac-over  26  feet 
fcories  over  twenty-six  feet,  clear  span,  shall  ^J^^^^^ 
bave  the  floors  carried  on  brick  partition  ^^j.^^.^^  parti- 
tvalls,  or  girders  supported  by  columns  oftion  walls,  or 
ivood  or  iron,  or  piers  of  masonry.    Iron  girders  sup- 
Dr  steel  trusses  or  girders  may  be  used:  Ported  by 
Provided,    The   supporting  walls   are  in-^^^^^^' 
creased  in  thickness  by  the  addition  of  Jj°^g 
piers  or  buttresses  to  a  sufficient  extent  to  be  used. 
Veep  the  load  on  the  brickwork  within  Proviso. 


14  LAWS    RELATING    TO  BUILDINGS 


No  wall  to  be 
carried  up 
more  than 
two  stories  in 
advance. 


Walls  to  be 

bonded  and 
anchored. 

Tie  anchors. 


Brick  walls, 
how  con- 
structed. 


Walls  built 
hollow,  how 
constructed. 


Hollow  bear- 
ing walls. 


Brick  walls 
shall  be 
bonded. 


the  maximum  load  elsewhere  herein  speci- 
fied. 

Section  21.  In  no  case  shall  any  wall  or 
walls  of  any  building-  be  carried  up  more 
than  two  stories  in  advance  of  any  other 
wall  without  the  permission  of  the  Bureau 
of  Building"  Inspection.  The  front,  rear, 
side  and  party  walls  should  be  properly 
bonded  tog-ether,  or  anchored  to  each  other, 
every  six  (6)  feet  in  their  heig-ht,  by 
wroug-ht-iron  tie  anchors  not  less  than  one 
and  one-half  (1^)  inches  by  three-eig*hths 
(%)  of  an  inch  in  size.  The  said  anchors 
shall  be  built  into  the  side  or  party  walls 
not  less  than  sixteen  (16)  inches,  and  into 
the  front  and  rear  walls  so  as  to  secure 
the  front  and  rear  walls  to  the  side  or 
party  walls  when  not  built  and  bonded  to- 
gether. 

Section  22.  In  brick  walls,  at  least  every 
seventh  cours^e  of  brick  shall  be  a  head- 
ing- course,  except  where  walls  are  faced 
with  face  brick,  in  which  case  at  least  every 
seventh  course  shall  be  bonded  with  Flem- 
ish headers,  or  by  cutting-  the  corners  of 
the  face  brick  and  putting-  diagonal  head- 
ers behind  the  same,  or  iron  ties.  In  all 
buildings  where  the  walls  are  built  hol- 
low the  same  amount  of  brick  or  stone 
wall  shall  be  used  in  their  construction  as 
if  they  were  solid,  as  heretofore  set  forth, 
and  no  hollow  bearing  walls  shall  be  built 
unless  the  two  walls  forming  the  same 
shall  be  connected  by  proper  ties  of  the 
same  material  as  the  walls,  or  stone  or 
iron,  placed  not  over  two  feet  apart.  The 
inside  four  inches  of  all  walls  may  be 
built  of  hard  burnt  hollow  clay,  or  porous 
terra-cotta,  blocks  properly  tied  and 
bonded  into  the  walls,  and  of  the  dimen- 
sions of  ordinary  brick. 

Section  23.  All  walls  of  brick  shall  be 
thoroughly    bonded    and    solidly    put  to- 


AND   BUILDING   INSPECTORS.  15 


rether,  and  shall  be  built  to  a  line,  plumb, 
level  and  straig^ht;  all  bricks  to  be  laid  and 
bedded    with    well    filled    joints.  Every 
course  when  laid  shall  have  the  joints  we]  I  How  laid, 
flushed  up;  all  bed  joints  not  covered  are 
to  be  struck.    The  brick  walls  below  the  Brick  walls 
curb  level  of  all  buildings,  other  than  dwell- l>elow  curb 
ing-s  and  building's  of  a  similar  light  con-^®'^®^* 
Btruction,  shall  be  laid  in  cement  mortar. 
Piers  built  for  the   support   of  any  col- Piers, 
amn,  post  or  wall  shall  be  laid  in  cement 
tnortar:  Provided,  That  this  section  shall  Proviso. 
Qot  be  construed  to  prohibit  the  use  of 
cement  and  lime  mortar,  when  in  the  judg- 
ment of  the  Chief  of  the  Bureau  of  Build- 
ing Inspection  the  nature  of  the  construc- 
tion may  permit  its  use.    The  brick  used  Quality  of 
in  all  buildings  of  this  character  shall  be^^^°^- 
good,  hard,  well  burned  and  well-shaped 
brick. 

Section  24.    Inspectors  of  buildings  shall,  Inspectors  to 
apon  the  application  of  any  owoier  or  o'^ii'parS  o^r  divi- 
Brs  of  any  buildings  or  their  authorized  gjQjj  walls, 
agents,  or  upon  the  application  of  any  per- 
son or  persons  about  to  erect  any  new 
building  or  buildings,  examine  any  or  all 
existing  party  or  division  walls,  and  if  they 
are  deemed  by  the  Inspector  to  be  defec-If  deemed  de- 
tive,  out  of  repair,  or  insufficient  and  unfit '©ctive,  etc. 
for  the  purpose  of  the  old  building  ex- 
isting upon  the  adjoining  premises,  or  of 
the  new  buildings  about  to  be  erected,  such 
party  or  division  wall  or  walls  shall  be 
repaired  or  made  good  or  taken  down  by  To  be  made 
the  parties  building-,  as  the  Inspector's  de-^ood  or  taken 
cision  may  be.    In  every  case  where  such 
wall  or  walls  are  defective,  out  of  repair, 
or  insufficient  for  the  purpose  of  the  build- 
ings  there    existing   upon    the  adjoining 
premises  and  using  the  same^  the  cost  or  The  cost  of 
expense  of  such  repair  or  removal,  together 
with  the  expense  of  the  new  wall  or  walls  * 
to  be  erected  in  lieu  thereof,  shall  be  borne  gy  ^i^om  to 
a,nd  paid  by  the  owner  of  said  buildings  be  paid. 


16  LAWS   RELATING    TO  BUILDINGS 


upon  the  adjoining-  premises  and  the  party 
erecting-  the  new  buildings  in  proportion 
to  the  amount  of  such  wall  or  walls  which 
is  or  shall  be  respectively  used  by  their  said 
building-s;  and  in  every  case  where  such 
wall  or  walls  are  defective,  out  of  repair, 
or  insufficient  only  for  the  purpose  of  the 
new  building-s,  the  cost  and  expense  of 
such  repair  or  removal,  tog*ether  with  the 
expense  of  the  new  wall  or  walls  to  be 
erected  in  lieu  thereof,  shall  then  be  borne 
and  paid  exclusively  by  the  parties  erect- 
ing- the  new  building's,  and  they  shall  also 
Damages  to  in  such  case  make  g-ood  all  damag'es  occa- 
be  made  good,  sioned  thereby  to  the  adjoining-  premises. 
Old  party  Section  25.    Walls  heretofore  built  for  or 

ased  "^^^         party  walls,  whose  thickness  at 

the  time  of  their  erection  was  in  accordance 
with  the  requirements  of  the  then  existing* 
laws,  but  which  are  not  in  accordance  wdth 
the  requirements  of  this  act,  may  be  used, 
if  in  g-ood  condition,  for  the  ordinary  use 
Proviso  as  to  of  party  walls:  Provided,  The  heig'ht  of 
height.  -^^Q  same  be  not  increased.    In  case  it  is 

desired  to  increase  the  heig-ht  of  the  ex- 
isting- party  or  independent  walls,  which 
walls  are  less  in  thickness  than  required 
How  height     under  this  act,  the  same  may  be  done  with 
leased.  ^'     ^  lining-  of  brickwork  to  form  a  combined 
thickness  with  the  old  walls  of  not  less 
than  four  inches  more  than  the  thickness 
required  for  a  new  wall,  corresponding^  with 
the  total  height  of  the  wall  when  so  in- 
Linings  to      creased  in  heig-ht.    The  said  lining-  shall 

be    supported  on  proper  foundations  and 
foundations.  .  ,  \    -  -u^       xi,    -r.  £ 

carried  up  to  such  heig-ht  as  the  Bureau  of 

Building*  Inspection  may  require.  No  lining* 
Thickness  of  shall  be  less  than  nine  (9)  inches  in  thick- 
lS?^et^°^  ness,  and  all  lining-  shall  be  laid  up  in 
*  *  cement  mortar,  and  thoroughly  anchored 
To  be  to  the  old  brick  walls  with  suitable  wrought 

thoroughly  jj-on  anchors,  placed  two  feet  apart,  and 
anchored.        properly  fastened  or  driven  into  the  old 

walls  in  rows,  alternating  vertically  and 


AND  BUILDING   INSPECTORS.  17 


horizontally  with  each  other;  the  old  walls 
being"  first  cleaned  of  plaster  and  other  Old  walls  to 
coating's  where  any  lining  is  to  be  bn11tt»e  cleaned. 
ag*ainst  the  same.    In  all  cases  where  there 
is  such  increase  of  walls  a  new  f  oundatioii  ^ew  founda- 
shall  be  built,  in  such  manner  as  to  carry  ^^^^l 
jointly  both  the  new  and  old  walls,  and 
the  soil  under  such  foundation  shall  not  be 
loaded  beyond  the  limits  elsewhere  herein 
specified.    This  section  shall  not  be  con- 
strued to  prohibit  the  raising  of  the  party  Raising  of 
walls  in  dwellings  an  additional  story,  if  party  walls 
upon  inspection  the  walls  are  found  g-ood/^  dwellings.' 
and  the  load  on  the  brickwork  is  within 
the  maximum  elsewhere  herein  specified. 

Section  26.    No  recess  shall  be  made  in 
any  wall  more  than  one-third  of  its  thick- 
ness.  Recesses  for  alcoves  shall  not  exceed 
eig-ht  (8)  feet*  in  width,  and  shall  be  arched 
over  and  not  carried  up  higher  than  eight- 
een (18)  inches  below  the  floor  next  above. 
The  aggregate  area  of  recesses  in  any  wall  Recesses  in 
shall  not  exceed  one-fourth  of  the  whole 
area  of  the  face  of  the  wall  on  any  story.  Area  of 
nor  shall  any  such  recesses  be  made  within 
a  distance  of  six  (6)  feet  of  any  other  one  Distance 
in  the  same  wall.  If  there  be  stone  ashlar  apart, 
used  for  the  facing-  of  any  buildings,  the 
said  stone  ashlar,  if  three  inches  thick  or  stone  ashlar, 
less,  shall  not  be  reckoned  in  the  thickness 
of  the  wall.  All  stone  used  for  the  facing 
of  any  building-,  except  where  built  of  al- 
ternate headers  and  stretchers,   shall  be  stone  facing 
strongly  anchored  with  iron  anchors,  set  to  be  anchor- 
in  each  stone  at  least  one  (1)  inch. 

Section  27.    The  minimum  thickness  for  Minimum 
all  walls  of  dwellings,  private  stables  and  thickness  of 
carriag-e  houses,  and  buildings  of  a  similar  ^^^^g^^^^^^®^' 
light  construction,  shall  be  as  follows:    All  ^  ^  ' 
such  biiildings  with  a  width  of  sixteen  (16)  Dimensions, 
feet  or  less,  providing  they  do  not  exceed 
sixty  (60)  feet  in  length  and  thirty-five  (35) 
2 


18  LAWS    RELATING    TO  BUILDINGS 


No  soft  brick 
to  be  used  in 
exposed  wall. 


The  Chief 
may  require 
increase  of 
thickness. 

Party  walls 
of  stone. 


Where  roof  is 
mansard. 


Party  wall 
shall  be  built 
solidly. 
Proviso. 


Dwellings  to 
be  not  less 
than  14  feet 
in  width. 
Proviso, 


feet  in  height,  shall  have  w^alls  of  not  less 
than  nine  (9)  inches.  If  over  sixteen  (16) 
feet  and  less  than  eighteen  (18)  feet  in 
vs^idth,  the  party  vs^alls  shall  be  thirteen  (13) 
inches  thick,  and  the  side  or  gable 
walls  nine  (9)  inches  thick.  If  eighteen 
(18)  feet  and  over  and  less  than  twenty 
(20)  feet  in  width,  the  side  or  gable  walls 
shall  be  thirteen  (13)  inches  for  two  stories. 
If  twenty  (20)  feet  and  over  in  width,  all 
the  walls  shall  be  at  least  thirteen  (13) 
inches  thick  the  entire  height.  No  soft  or 
salmon  brick  shall  be  used  in  the  exposed 
walls  of  any  building  described  in  this  sec- 
tion. All  walls  shall  be  squared  up 
thirteen  (13)  inches  thick,  with  hard  brick 
to  the  first  floor  joists.  The  Chief  of  the 
Bureau  may  increase  the  thickness  of  any 
of  the  walls  herein  specified,  if  in  his  judg- 
ment the  nature  of  the  construction  re- 
quires it  to  be  done.  Party  walls  if  built 
of  stone  shall  not  be  less  than  sixteen  (16) 
inches.  The  party  walls  of  all  buildings 
shall  be  built  up  and  extended  at  least  ten 
(10)  inches  above  the  roof_^  and  shall  be 
coped  with  stone  or  metal  or  other  hard  in- 
combustible material.  Where  the  roof  is 
Mansard,  unless  the  same  is  constructed  of 
fire-proof  material  throughout^  the  lower 
slope  of  said  wall  shall  extend  at  least  six 
inches  distant  and  parallel  with  the  roof 
covering,  and  be  corbelled  to  the  outer 
edge  of  all  projections  and  coped  with  in- 
combustible material.  All  party  walls  shall 
be  built  solidly  from  cellar  bottom  to  the 
top  of  the  fire  wall:  Provided,  That  with 
the  approval  and  under  the  supervision  of 
the  Bureau  of  Building  Inspection  open- 
ings may  be  made  in  party  walls  of  con- 
tiguous buildings. 

Section  28.  No  dwelling  house  shall  be 
erected  on  a  lot  of  a  less  average  width 
than  fourteen  (14)  feet:  Provided,  That 
this  limitation  shall  not  apply  to  lots  of 


AND   BUILDING   INSPECTORS.  19 


less  than  fourteen  feet  in  width  having- 
building's  erected   thereon.    Provided  fur- 
ther, That  a  dwelling-  house  may  be  erec- 
ted on  a  lot  of  less  width  than  fourteen 
(14)   feet,   and  a  lot   of  less  width  than 
forty-two  (42)  feet  may  be  sub-divided  into 
lots  of  equal  width,  upon  which  dwelling- 
houses  may  be  erected,  but  no  such  lot 
shall  be  decreased  in  width  to  a  g-reater  Lots  not  to  be 
extent  than  five  per  centum  of  fc)urteen^^^|^^®^^  ^ 
(14)  feet.    This  provision  shall  only  apply ^^^^^ent.^of 
when  the  aforesaid  lots  are  bounded  b}^  14  feet, 
g-round  having-  buildings  erected  thereon 
at  the  time  of  the  approval  of  this  act,  or 
when  bounded  on  each  side  by  g-round  be- 
long-ing-  to  other  owners  at  the  time  of 
the  approval  of  this  act,  and  every  such 
dwelling"  shall  have  an  open  space  attached  Open  yard 
to  it  in  the  rear  or  at  the  side  equal  to|P^^®  dwel-^ 
at  least  one  hundred  and  forty-four  (144)  ungs. 
square  feet  of  clear  space,  unobstructed 
by  any  overhanging*  structure.    In  all  dwel- 
lings hereafter  erected  the  cellars   shall  Extent  of  eel- 
extend  underneath  the  whole  house  and^^^^^'  ventlla- 
be  ventilated  from  both  ends.  In  low,  damp 
or  made  ground  the  bottom  of  all  cellars 
shall  be  covered  with  concrete  or  asphalt 
at  least  three  (3)  inches  thick,  or  such  ma- 
terial as  shall  be  approved  by  the  Bureau 
of  Building  Inspection. 

Section  29.    In  buildings  hereafter  erec-How  chim- 
ted,  altered  or  repaired,  all  chimneys  shall  ^^^^  ^^^^^  ^® 
be  built  of  brick,  stone  or  other  incombus- 
tible material.    Brick  chimneys  shall  have 
walls  at  least  nine  (9)  inches  thick,  unless  Walls  and 
terra-cotta  flue  linings  are  used,  in  which 
case  four  and  one-half  (4^)  inches  of  brick- 
work may  be  omitted.    All  chimneys  or 
smoke  flues  shall  have  a  wall  nine  (9)  inches 
thick    at   the  back,  and   when  corbelled 
out  shall  be  supported  by  at  least  five 
courses  of  brick,  and,  if  supported  by  piers, 
the  same  shall  start  from  the  foundation 
on  the  same  face  with  the  breast  above. 


20  LAWS   RELATING    TO  BUILDINGS 


To  be  bonded. 

Inside  of 
brick  flues. 


How  chim- 
neys and  flues 
shall  be  built. 


How  hearths 
shall  be  con- 
structed. 


Width  of 
jambs. 


Lengths  of 
arches. 


All  chimneys  shall  be  bonded  to  the  walls 
at  every  course  from  the  bottom  to  the  top. 
The  inside  of  all  brick  flues  shall  be  built 
of  hard  brick  and  have  struck  joints,  ex- 
cept vs^hen  lined  w^ith  terra-cotta.  All 
chimneys  shall  be  topped  out  at  least  four 
(4)  feet  from  above  the  top  of  the  roof  at 
point  of  contact,  if  a  flat  roof,  and  at  least 
two  (2)  feet  above  the  ridg-e  of  a  pitched 
roof.  No  chimney  shall  be  less  than  eight 
(8)  by  eig'ht  (8)  inches  when  used  as  a 
smoke  flue.  No  chimney  in  any  building 
already  erected  or  hereafter  to  be  built 
shall  be  cut  oif  below,  in  whole  or  in  part, 
and  supported  by  wood,  but  shall  be  wholly 
supported  by  stone,  brick  or  iron,  and  all 
chimneys  in  any  building  already  erected 
or  hereafter  to  be  erected,  which  shall  be 
dangerous  in  any  manner  whatever^  shall 
be  repaired  and  made  safe  or  taken  down. 
No  wood  furring  shall  be  used  against  or 
around  any  chimney,  but  the  plastering 
shall  be  directly  on  the  masonry  or  on  the 
metal  lathing.  Flues  of  ranges  and  boil- 
ers, and  other  similar  flues  shall  have  the 
outside  exposed  to  the  height  of  the  ceil- 
ing, or  be  plastered  to  the  bricks. 

Section  30.  All  hearths  shall  be  suppor- 
ted by  trimmer  arches  of  brick,  stone,  iron 
or  concrete,  or  be  of  single  stone  at  least 
six  (6)  inches  thick,  built  into  the  chim- 
ney and  supported  by  iron  beams,  one  end 
of  which  shall  be  securely  built  into  the 
masonry  of  the  chimney  or  an  adjoining 
wall,  or  which  shall  otifierwise  rest  upon 
incombustible  support.  The  brick  jambs 
of  every  flre-place  or  grate  opening  shall 
be  at  least  nine  (9)  inches  wide  each,  and 
the  backs  of  such  openings  shall  be  at 
least  nine  (9)  inches  thick.  All  hearths  and 
trimmer  arches  shall  be  at  least  twelve 
(12)  inches  longer  on  either  side  than  the 
width  of  such  openings,  and  at  least  eigh- 
teen (18)  inches  wide  in  front  of  the  chim- 


AND   BUILDING   INSPECTORS.  21 


ney  breast.    Brickwork  over  fire-places  and  Support  of 
grate  openings  shall  be  supported  by  ^^^^^  ^yer^'flre? 
bars,  or  brick  or  stone  arches.    All  brick-  places,  etc. 
set   or  portable   ranges   shall  be   set  on 
hearths  of  brick,  slate  or  cement,  the  said 
hearths    to  extend  at    least  twelve  (12) 
inches  beyond  the  face  of  the  range.  No 
brick-set  or  portable  range,  or  heating  ap- setting  of 
paratus  of  any  kind,  shall  be  set  against  a  ^^^s®^ 
wood  or  lath  and  plaster  partition. 

Section  31.  No  stove-pipe  in  any  building  How  stove  ^ 
with  combustible  floors  and  ceilings  shall  P^P®^ 
hereafter  enter  any  flue  nearer  than  twelve  ®^  ®^ 
(12)  inches  from  the  floor  or  ceiling,  and 
in  all  cases  when  smoke-pipes  pass 
through  the  stud  or  wooden  partitions, 
floor  or  roof,  whether  plastered  or  not, 
they  shall  be  guarded  by  either  a  double 
collar  of  metal,  with  at  least  two  (2)  in- 
ches of  air  space  all  around  and  holes  for 
circulation  of  air,  or  by  a  soapstone  ring 
or  solid  casting  of  plaster  of  paris,  not 
less  than  three  (3)  inches  in  thickness,  and 
extending  through  the  partition,  or  by  an 
earthenware  ring  one  (1)  inch  from  the 
pipe  at  every  joint. 

Section  32.    In  all  cases  where  hot  water,  Smokepipe  of 
steam,  hot  air  or  other  furnaces  are  "^^^^^^  twcT^feet^be-^ 
the  furnace  smokepipe  shall  be  at  least  joists, 
two   (2)  feet  below  the  joists  or  ceiling 
above  the  same,  unless  said  joists  or  ceil-  Exceptions, 
ing  shall  be  properly  protected  by  a  shield 
of  metal  plate  suspended  above  the  said 
pipe  with  at  least  three  (3)  inches  of  space 
for  the  free  circulation  of  air  above  and 
below  the  said  shield,  in  which  case  the 
smokepipes  shall  be  kept  at  least  ten  (10) 
inches  from  the  aforesaid  joists  or  ceiling; 
and  the  tops  of  all  furnaces  set  in  brick  Tops  of  fur- 
must  be  covered  with  brick,  slate  or  metal,  naces  to  be 
supported  by  iron  bars,  and  so  constructed 
as  to  be  perfectly  tight;  said  covering  to 
be    in   addition  to   and  at  least    six  (6) 


22 


LAWS    RELATING    TO  BUILDINGS 


inches  from  the  ordinary  covering  to  the 
hot  air  chamber.  The  tops  of  all  heating- 
furnaces  not  set  in  brick  shall  be  at  least 
ten  (10)  inches  below  the  joists  or  ceiling 
w  ith  a  shield  of  metal  plate  made  tight  and 
suspended  below  the  said  joists  or  ceiling 
at  least  three  (3)  inches,  and  extending 
one  (1)  foot  beyond  the  furnace  on  all 
Placing  of  sides.  No  boiler  to  be  used  for  steam  or 
boilers.  motive   power,   and   no   furnace   shall  be 

placed  on  any  floor  above  the  cellar  floor 
unless  the  same  is  set  on  non-combustible 
beams  and  arches,  or  an  incombustible  plat- 
form, and  in  no  case  without  a  permit 
from  the  Bureau  of  Building  Inspection. 
How  hot    air     Section  33.  All  hot  air  registers  set  in  the 
b?*set^^  ^^^^^  floor  of  any  building  shall  be  set  in  a  bor- 
der of  soapstone  or  other  flre-proof  mate- 
rial, and  all  floor  or  register  boxes  to  be 
made  of  sheet  metal  with  flange  on  top  to 
flt  the  groove  in  the  border,  the  register 
to  rest  upon  the  same,  and  there  shall 
also  be  an  open  space  of  two  (2)  inches 
on  all  sides  of  the  register  box,  extending 
from  the  under  side  of  the  ceiling  to  the 
border   of  the   floor,   the   outside   of  the 
s])ace  to  be  covered  with  a  casing  of  metal, 
made  tight  on  all  sides^  and  to  extend  from 
the  under  side  of  the  aforesaid  ceiling  up 
to  and  turn  under  the  said  border.  No 
All  flues  shall  tin  or  metal  flue  or  flues,  pipe  or  pipes, 
be  protected,    or  register  box  or  boxes  of  a  single  thick- 
ness of  metal,  used  and  intended  to  convey 
heated  air  in  any  building  hereafter  to  be 
built,  altered  or  repaired,  shall  be  allowed, 
unless  the  same  be  built  in  a  wall  of  brick 
or  stone.    In  all  other  cases,  the  said  flue 
or  flues,  pipe  or  pipes,  register  box  or 
To  be  made     boxes,  shall  be  made  double;  that  is,  two 
thoroughly      pipes,  one  inside  the  other,  at  least  one- 
flre-proof.        -^^^^  ^^^-^  apart,  or  covered  with  wire 

lathing,  and  the  studding  covered  with  tin 
or  other  fire-proof  material,  so  as  to  be 
Proviso.  thoroughly  fire-proof:    Provided,  That  it 


AND   BUILDING  INSPECTOHS. 


23 


shall  not  apply  to  pipes  leading  from  a 
heater  to  the* hot  air  flue.    No  wood  fur- Wood  furring 
ring-  or  lath  shall  be  placed  ag^ainst  any  ^^^^^  f^^*  ^® 
flue,  metal  pipe  or  pipes,  used  to  convey  ^gg^^gl-  flues, 
heated  air  or  steam  in  any  building*.    No  etc. 
permanent  or  stationary  heating-  appara- 
tus of  any  kind  whatever  shall  be  intro- 
duced in  any  building-  now  erected  without 
a  permit  from  the  Bureau  of  Building-  In- 
spection. 

Section   34.     In   no   building-   shall   any  Placing  of  ^ 
wooden  girders,  joists  or  timbers  be  placed  ^^^^^^  sir- 
nearer  than  four  (4)  inches  of  the  outside         ®  °' 
of  any  smoke,  hot  air  or  other  flue;  and 
all  joists  or  other  timbers  in  the  part}'  Joists  in  par- 
walls  of  any  buildings  hereafter  erected  ty  walls  shall 
whether  built  of  stone,  brick  or  iron,  shall  ^^^j^^^Pj^.^^^ 
be  separated  from  the  joists  or  timbersthe  other  side, 
entering  into  the  opposite  side  of  the  wall 
by  at  least  four  (4)  inches  of  solid  mason 
work.    Every  trimmer  over  four  feet  long^How  trim- 
except   in   a   dwelling,   shall  be  hung   inp^ers  shall  be 
wrought  or  malleable  iron  stirrups  of  suit-  ^^^* 
able  dimensions,  and  no  timber  shall  be 
used  in  any  wall  of  any  building  where 
stone,  brick  or  iron  is  commonly  used,  ex- 
cept iDond  timbers  and  lintels  as  hereinbe- 
fore provided  for,  or  as  may  be  approved  by 
the  Inspector,  and  no  exposed  bond  timberExposed  bond 
in  any  wall  shall  in  width  and  thickness,  ex- 1^"^^®^*^- 
ceed  that  of  a  cour&e  of  brick.    Where  stud 
partitions  are  parallel  with  the  joists,  the  Where  stud 
joists  supporting  them  are  to  be  doubled  P^^^it^^^^  ^'l® 
in  all  cases.    No  wooden  floor  joists  or      ®         ®  " 
roof  rafters  used  in  any  building  other  Joists,  thi' 
than     a     frame     building     shall     be     ofn©ss  of  to  be 
less    thickness    than    three    (3)  inches. 
Each  tier  of  joists  shall  be  anchored  to  the 
bearing  walls,  at  intervals  of  not  more  than 
ten  (10)  feet,  with  good,  strong,  wrought 
iron  anchors.    Where  the  joists  are  sup- 
ported by  girders,  the  girders  shall  be  an- 
chored to  the  walls,  all  the  said  joists  or 
girders  shall  be  so  anchored  that  in  fall- 


24  LAWS    RELATING    TO  BUILDINGS 


ing-  they  will  free  their  own  anehorag^e 
without  injury  to  the  wall.    The  ends  of 
joists  resting  upon  girders,  if  butted  to- 
gether end  to  end,  shall  be  strapped  with 
wrought  iron  straps  at  the  same  joist  that 
is  anchored  to  the  wall,  or  they  may  lap 
each  other  and  be  thoroughly  spiked  or 
bolted  together.    Where  joists  are  hung  in 
iron  stirrups  from  the  girders  they  must 
Floor  Joists,     be   strapped  as  before   described.  Floor 
joists  shall  be  placed  not  more  than  six- 
teen (16)  inches  from  centre  to  centre,  and 
must  be  properly  bridged.    All  joists  that 
are  used  must  be  sound  and  well  seasoned. 
No  floor  joists  shall  be  blocked  up  or  lev- 
elled on  more  than  one  dry  course  of  brick. 
Planking,  etc.,     Section  35.    The  planking  and  sheathing 
of  roof  shall    of  the  roof  of  every  building  hereafter  to 
not  extend  erected  or  altered  shall  in  no  case  be 

ac^ross  p         extended  across  the  party  wall  thereof, 
and  every  such  building  and  the  tops  and 
sides  of  every  dormer  window  thereon  shall 
be  covered  with  slate,  zinc,  tin,  iron,  copper, 
or  such  other  equally  good  fire-proof  ma- 
terial as  the  Bureau  of  Building  Inspec- 
tion may  authorize;    and  the  outside  of 
How  dormer    every  dormer  window  hereafter  placed  on 
windows  shall  any  building  as  aforesaid,  shall  be  made  of 
be  covered.      gome  fire-proof  material,  and  wooden  build- 
ings which  require  roofing,  shall  not  be 
roofed  with  any  other-  covering  except  as 
Proviso.  aforesaid:   Provided,  That  this  shall  not 

apply  to  roofs  and  dormers  in  rural  and 
suburban  districts.    Nothing  in  this  sec- 
tion shall  be  construed  to  prohibit  the  re- 
Repairing  of   pairing  of  a  shingle  roof,  provided  the  re- 
shingle  roofs,  pairs  do  not  amount  to  over  one-half  of 
the  value  of  said  roof,  in  which  case  the 
whole  must  be  replaced  by  some  fire-proof 
Materials  and  material.    All  buildings  shall  be  kept  pro- 
construction     vided  with  proper  metallic  leaders  for  con- 
of  water         ducting  water  from  the  roof  to  the  ground 
o.onductors.      ^j,  g^^er^       such  manner  as  shall  protect 
the  walls  and  foundations  from  damage. 


AND   BUILDING  INSPECTORS. 


25 


Section  36.    All  building's  of  three  or  more  Scuttle 
stories  hereafter  to  be  built  with  two  ^^'^^^^^^nd^^" 
more   stories   back  building's,    shall  have^Q^j.^ 
scuttle  frames  and  covers   or  bulkheads 
and  door,  and  be  covered  with  some  fire- 
proof material.    All  scuttles  shall  have  sta- 
tionary ladders  leading  to  the  same,  and  Stationary 
all  such  scuttles  and  ladders  shall  be  kept^^^J^^es  ^"""^ 
so  as  to  be  ready  for  use  at  all  times. 
All  scuttles  shall  be  in  size  of  opening* 
at  least   eighteen    (18)    inches   by  thirty 
(30)  inches,  and  if  a  bulkhead  is  used  inBulkheads  to 
any  building-  in  place  of  a  scuttle  it  shall  ^^"^^  stairs, 
have  stairs,  with  a  sufficient  guard  or  hand- 
rail, leading-  to  the  roof;  and  in  case  the  Doors  to  same 
building  be  a  tenement  house,  the  doors 
or  covers  to  the  scuttle  or  bulldieads  shall  JJJJjj^g^  ^ 
at  no  time  be  locked^  but  may  be  bolted 
or  secured  by  hooks  on  the  inside. 

Section    37.    All    exterior    cornices    and  Exterior  car- 

gntters  hereafter  erected  shall  be  of  some?*^®^  ^'^^  ^Y*: 
^  „        X     •  1        T  •  ters,  material 

nre-proof  material,  and  m  every  case,  ex-g^n^  construc- 
cept  when  carried   on  a  frame  work   oftion  of. 
iron  or  steel,  the  g-reatest  weight  of  the 
material  of  which  the  cornice  -shall  be  con- 
structed shall  be  on  the  inside  of  the  outer 
line  of  the  wall,  allowance  being  made  for 
the  leverage  produced  by  the  projection  of 
the  cornice  beyond  the  face  of  the  wall:  and 
in  all  cases  the  walls  shall  be  carried  up 
to  the   under  side   of  the  roof  planking 
and  where  the  cornice  projects  above  the 
roof,  the  wall  shall  be  carried  up  to  the 
top  of  the  cornice.    All  exterior  wooden  Unsafe  wood- 
cornices  that  maj  be  or  shall  hereafter  ®n  cornices, 
become  unsafe  shall  be  taken  down,  and  if 
replaced,  shall  be  constructed  of  some  fire- 
proof  material.     All   exterior   wood   cor- Damaged  by 
nices  or  gutters  that  may  hereafter  be  dam- Are  or  water, 
aged  by  fire  or  by  decay  to  the  extent  of 
one-half  the  value  thereof,  shall  be  taken 
down,  and  if  replaced  shall  be  constructed 
of  some  fire-proof  material,  but  if  not  dam- 
ag-ed  to  this  extent,  may  be  repaired  with 


26  LAWS   RELATING    TO  BUILDINGS 


Cornices  of 
adjoining 
buildings  to 
be  separated. 


Wooden 
cornices. 


All  public 
buildings 
shall  have 
stairways  as 
determined 
by  the  Chief. 


Stores. 


Manufac- 
tories. 


Tower  stair- 
ways, fire- 
proof. 


Openings  for 
doors  and 
windows. 

Arches  and 
lintels. 


the  same  kind  of  material  of  which  origi- 
nally constructed.  The  cornice  on  every 
building"  shall  be  separated  from  the  cor- 
nice on  an  adjoining  building  by  having 
the  party  v^all  corbelled  out  at  least  two 
(2)  inches  beyond  all  projections,  or  by 
such  other  fire  stop  as  shall  be  approved 
by  the  Bureau  of  Building  Inspection.  This 
section  shall  not  be  construed  to  prohibit 
the  use  of  a  wooden  cornice  upon  buildings 
which  have  shingle  roofs,  as  hereafter  in 
this  act  provided. 

Section  38.  All  buildings  hereafter  erec- 
ted or  altered  to  be  used  as  a  school-house, 
hospital,  asylum,  hotel,  apartment  or  tene- 
ment house,  office  building,  store,  manufac- 
tory, or  workshop,  or  place  of  assembly  or 
resort,  shall  have  such  number  of  good  and 
sufficient  stairways,  or  other  means  of 
egress,  as  shall  be  determined  by  the  Chief 
of  the  Bureau  of  Building  Inspection. 
Stores  in  which  any  of  the  stories  above 
the  second  have  a  clear  floor  space  of  four 
thousand  (4000)  square  feet,  and  manufac- 
tories three  or  more  stories  in  height,  of 
the  floor  area  per  story,  of  three  thousand 
(3,000)  square  feet  shall  have  a  tower 
stairway,  completely  inclosed,  on  the  inte- 
rior of  the  building,  with  brick  walls  of 
such  other  fire-proof  materials  as  shall  be 
accepted  by  the  Bureau  of  Building  Inspec- 
tion. Should  the  floor  area  of  any  story 
above  the  second,  in  said  stores  or  man- 
ufactories, exceed  ten  thousand  (10,000) 
square  feet,  the  Bureau  of  Building  In- 
spection may  require  one  or  more  ad- 
ditional tower  stairways. 

Section  39.  Openings  for  doors  and  win- 
dows in  all  buildings,  except  as  otherwise 
provided,  shall  have  good  and  sufficient 
arches  of  stone,  brick  or  terra-cotta,  well 
built  and  keyed,  with  good  and  sufficient 
abutments  or  lintels  of  stone,  as  follows: 


AND   BUILDING   INSPECTORS.  27 


For  an  opening-  not  more  than  four  (4)  feet  Dimension  of 
in  width,  the  lintel  shall  not  be  less  than^^^*®^'* 
seven  and  one-half  (7^)  inches  in  height 
and  three  (3)  inches  in  thickness;  for  an 
opening-  of  not  more  than  six  (6)  feet  in 
width,  the  said  lintel  shall  not  be  less  than 
ten    (10)    inches  in   heig-ht   and   four  (4) 
inches  in  thickness;  for  an  opening-  more 
than  six  (6)  feet  and  less  than  eig'ht  (8) 
feet  in  width,  the   said   lintel   shall  not 
be  less  than  twelve  (12)  inches  in  heig-ht 
and  four  (4)  inches  in  thickness;  all  lin- 
tels eight  (8)  feet  and  over  in  width^  shall 
be  iron  or  steel  beams  or  girders.    No  lin- 
tels shall  have  a  bearing  of  less  than  four  Bearings  of 
and  one-half  (4i^)  inches  on  the  walls,  and^i^^^^^* 
on  the  inside  of  all  openings  six  (6)  feet 
or  less  in  width,  in  which  the  lintels  shall 
be  less  than  the  thickness  of  the  wall  to 
be  supported,  there  shall  be  a  good  and 
proper  size  timber  lintel,  which  shall  rest 
at  each  end  not  less  than  four  and  one- 
half   (4^)   inches  on  the  wall,  and  shall 
be  bevelled  on  each  end,  and  shall  have  a 
double  counter  or  dead  arch  turned  over 
the  same  when  practicable.    Openings  over 
six  (6)  feet  and  less  than  eight  (8)  feet 
in  width,  shall  have  the  inside  lintel  of  iron  Lintel  of  iron 
or  steel;  plank  front  frames  of  a  width  of  or  steel, 
five  (5)  feet  or  less,  to  be  used  in  dwelling 
houses,  may  be  exempted  from  the  provi- 
sions of  this  section  for  lintels.    All  ex- Exterior  win- 
terior  window  sills  shall  be  of  stone  or       sills  sliall 
other  hard,  incombustible  materail.  ^®  stone. 

Section  40.    All  iron  or  steel  beams  or  Iron  or  steel 
girders  used  as  lintels  to  span  openings J®^^^  s^r~ 
eight  (8)  feet  or  over  in  width  and  not  op^ning^bl^^ 
exceeding  twelve  (12)  feet,  upon  which  atween  8  and 
wall  rests,  when  not  supported  by  iron  or  12  feet, 
steel  jamb  boxes,  shall  have  a  bearing  of 
at  least  eight  (8)  inches  at  each  end  by 
the  thickness  of  the  wall  supported.    For -when  over  12 
openings  over  twelve  (12)  feet,  the  bearing  feet, 
shall  be  at  least  twelve  (12)  inches.  When 


28  LAWS   RELATING    TO  BUILDINGS 


When  sup- 
ported at 
ends  by  walls 
or  piers. 


Dimensions 
of  stone  block. 


Bearings  to 
be  sufficient 
to  support 
weight. 

Width  of  iron 
beams. 


Maximum 
weights,  per 
superficial 
foot,  floors 
shall  be  con- 
structed to 
bear. 


Maximum 
weight  per 
superficial 
foot,  to  be 
borne  by 
roofs. 


the  lintels  or  girders  are  supported  at  the 
ends  by  brick  walls  or  piers,  they  shall 
rest  upon  cut  granite  or  other  stone  blocks 
of  equal  strength,  or  cast  iron  plates  of 
equal  strength  may  be  used.  If  the  open- 
ing is  twelve  feet  or  less,  the  stone  block 
shall  not  be  less  than  eight  (8)  inches  thick, 
and  shall  be  proportionately  increased 
when  the  opening  is  more  than  twelve  (12) 
feet.  All  blocks  or  plates  used  shall  be 
the  full  size  of  the  bearings.  In  all  cases 
the  bearing  shall  be  sufficient  to  support 
the  weight  placed  upon  it  with  safety.  All 
iron  or  steel  beams  or  girders  used  in  any 
building  shall  be  throughout  not  less  in 
width  than  the  thickness  of  the  wall  to  be. 
supported. 

Section  41.  All  floors  shall  be  construct- 
( d  to  bear  a  safe  weight,  per  superficial 
foot,  exclusive  of  the  weight  of  the  ma- 
terials of  which  they  are  composed,  as  fol- 
lows: Dwellings,  tenement  houses,  apart- 
ment houses,  hotels,  hospitals  or  asylums, 
seventy  (70)  pounds;  office  buildings,  one 
hundred  (100)  pounds;  places  of  public  as- 
sembly, light  manufacturing  and  retail 
stores,  one  hundred  and  twenty  (120) 
pounds;  storehouses,  warehouses  and  man- 
ufactories, one  hundred  and  fifty  (150) 
pounds;  and  upwards  in  proportion  to  the 
loads  they  have  to  carry.  All  roofs  shall 
be  constructed  to  bear  a  safe  weight  of 
thirty  (30)  pounds  per  superficial  foot. 
The  ultimate  stress  in  pounds  per  square 
inch,  to  be  applied  in  proportioning  the 
materials  to  be  used  in  building  to  safely 
carry  the  load  stated  above,  shall  be  as 
follows: 


AND   BUILDING  INSPECTORS. 


29 


Cast  iron  

Wrought  iron. 

Mild  steel  

MediuiQ  steel.. 


CD 


Ultimate 
stresses  in 
pounds  per 
square  inch. 


15,000  ,  '  70,000 

 i  50,000  50,000  80,000 

 1  58,000  58,000  35,000 

 I  (55,000  65,000  40,000 


«  a 

M 


Hemlock   3,600 

Spruce   4,400 

Long  leaf  yellowpine  6,400 


4,000 
5,000 
7,200 


Com- 
pression. 


2,100 
3,000 
4,500 


o  o 

5'3 


Shear. 


o 


;  03 


250  2,500  250 
800  8,000  300 
550  4,500  400 


Allowable  pressure  per  square  foot  on  Allowable 
Concrete,  fifteen  tons.  pressure  per 

Brickwork  in  lime  mortar^  eight  tons.  square  foot. 
Brickwork   in   lime    and   cement  mortar, 

twelve  tons. 
Brickwork  in  cement  mortar,  fifteen  tons. 
Stonew^ork   (rubble)   in  lime  mortar,  five 

tons. 

Stonework    (rubble)  in   lime  and  cement 

mortar,  eight  tons. 
Stonework    (rubble)    in    cement  mortar, 

ten  tons. 


30 


LAWS    RELATING    TO  BUILDINGS 


Reduction  as 
per  formula 
of  Bureau. 


Basis  of  ulti- 
mate stresses 
on  timber. 

Allowable 
deflection. 


Factors  of 
safety. 


Temporary 
supports. 


Weights  that 
floors  win 
sustain  shall 
be  estimated. 


And  posted  In 
a  conspicuous 
place. 

Strength  of 
materials, 
how  to  be  as- 
certained. 


The  above  figures  in  compression  shall 
be  reduced  for  columns,  in  proportion  to 
length  and  least  diameter,  according  to 
formula  adopted  by  the  Bureau  of  Build- 
ing Inspection.  The  ultimate  stresses  as 
above  given  for  timber,  are  based  on  or- 
dinary, straight  grained  and  well-seasoned 
lumber.  The  allowable  deflection  for 
beams  or  girders  shall  not  exceed  one- 
thirtieth  of  an  inch  per  foot  of  span  where 
the  ceiling  is  to  be  plastered,  or  one  twen- 
ty-fifth of  an  inch  per  foot  of  span,  where 
the  ceiling  is  not  to  be  plastered.  The  fac- 
tors of  safety  shall  be  as  one  to  four  for 
all  beams,  girders  and  other  pieces  subject 
to  transverse  strain,  and  a.s  one  to  four  for 
all  posts,  columns  and  other  vertical  sup- 
ports, when  of  wrought  iron  or  rolled 
steel,  and  as  one  to  six  for  other  material 
subject  to  a  compressive  strain;  and  as  one 
to  four  for  tie  rods,  tie  beams  and  other 
pieces  subject  to  a  tensile  strain.  Every 
temporary  support  used  during  the  erec- 
tion or  alteration  of  any  building  shall  be 
of  sufficient  strength  to  carry  safely  the 
load  to  be  placed  thereon. 

Section  42.  In  all  stores,  warehouses  and 
factories,  hereafter  to  be  erected  or  al- 
tered, and  all  warehouses,  storehouses,  fac- 
tories, workshops  and  stores,  where  heavy 
materials  are  kept  or  stored  or  machinery 
introduced,  the  weight  that  each  floor  will 
safely  sustain  upon  each  superflcial  foot 
shall  be  estimated  by  an  architect  or  civil 
engineer.  The  weight  that  each  floor  will 
safely  sustain,  together  with  the  date  of 
examination  and  the  name  of  the  architect 
or  civil  engineer,  shall  be  posted  by  the 
owner  in  a  conspicuous  place  on  each  floor. 
The  strength  of  the  materials  shall  be 
ascertained  by  computation,  by  the  rules 
of  standard  authors  on  the  strength  of  ma- 
terials using  the  fibre  stresses  hereinbe- 
fore specified,  and  for  other  materials  only 


AXD   BUILDING  INSPECTORS, 


31 


such  numbers    as  have  been  reduced  from 
actual   experiments   on   materials  of  like  Data  and 
kinds  with  that  proposed  to  be  used.    The  method  of 
data  and  method  of  computation  must  be  g^Sl^e  sub- 
submitted  to  the  Bureau  of  Building  In-mltted  to 
spection  for  verification^  before  posting.  Bureau. 

Section  43.    Rolled  iron  or  steel  beams  Iron  or  steel 
and  girders  used  to  support  floors  or  walls  ^eams  or  gir- 
of  buildings  shall  be  so  proportioned  that  guppJJ^^  floors 
the  loads  which  may  come  upon  them  shall  or  walls, 
not  produce  strains  in  tension  or  compres- 
sion of  more  than  the  allowable  stresses 
hereinbefore  specified.  Xo  material  shall  be 
used  in  any  part  of  the  construction  of  less 
thickness  than  one-quarter         of  an  inch, 
except  for  filling  or  lining  vacant  places. 
Xo  allowance  shall  be  made  for  the  web  in 
calculating  the  flange  section  of  plate  gir- 
ders.    All  connections  shall  be  arranged 
for  end  connection  angles,  and  all  beams, 
where  practicable,  must  be  connected  to 
the    girders    supporting    them    with  the 
standard  connections,  as  used  by  Pencoyd,  Standard  con- 
Carnegie,  Phoenix,  or  other  standard  mills,  sections, 
and  published  in  their  hand  books.  Beams 
or  girders  whose  length  is  more  than  twen- 
ty-five times  their  width  must  be  supported  Supported 
lateralh'  by  bracing,  independent   of  the  laterally 
load  coming  upon  them.    Webs  of  girders, 
whose  unsupported  depth  is  more  than  six- Webs  of  gir- 
ty  times  their  thickness,  must  have  stiff- ^^ers  to  have 
eners  riveted  on  both  sides  of  the  web  at^^^^®^®"* 
points  generally  not  farther  apart  than 
one  and  one-half  times  the  full  depth  of  the 
web-plate,  the  stiffeners  to  be  milled  to  fit 
tightly  into  the  flange  angles  of  the  gir- 
der.   At  the  points  of  local  and  concen-  At  points  of 
trated  loads  and  at  bearing  points,  stiff- kjcal  and  con- 
eners  shall  be  placed  up  against  the  flanges,  ^^^^^^^^ 
and    shall   be    proportioned   as    posts  to 
transfer  the  loads  at  those  points.  All  riv- Riveted  work, 
eted  work  to  be  punched  accurately  with 
holes  one-sixteenth  (1/16)  inch  larger  than 
the  rivet,  and  when  the  pieces  forming  one 
2 


3:3 


LAWS    RELATING    TO    Bl  ILDINGS 


No  drifting 
allowed. 


Rivets  to  be 

machine 

driven. 

Shearing 
strain. 


Field  riveting. 

Pitch  of 
rivets. 

Connections. 


Vertical 
loads,  in- 
cluding bend- 
ing strain. 


Vertical 


Abutting 
surfaces. 


Splices. 


built  member  are  put  together  the  holes 
must  be  truly  opposite.  No  drifting  to  dis- 
tort the  metal  will  be  allowed.  All  holes 
for  field  rivets  shall  be  accurately  drilled 
to  an  iron  tempdet  wherever  pos(:sible; 
all  rivets  shall  be  machine  driven  and  when 
so  driven  must  completely  fill  the  holes. 
All  rivets  shall  be  proportioned  so  that 
the  shearing  strain  per  square  inch  of  sec- 
tion shall  not  exceed  eleven  thousand 
(11,000)  pounds  for  steely  and  nine  thou- 
sand (9,000)  pounds  for  iron,  and  the  pres- 
sure upon  the  bearing  surface  of  the  pro- 
jected semi-intrados  (diameter  x  thickness) 
of  the  rivet  shall  not  exceed  twenty-two 
thousand  (22,000)  poimds  per  square  inch 
for  steel,  and  eighteen  thousand  (1  ,000^ 
pounds  for  iron.  For  field  riveting  the  num- 
ber thus  found  shall  be  increased  twenty- 
five  per  centum.  The  pitch  of  rivets  in 
direction  of  the  strain  shall  not  exceed  six 
(6)  inches.  All  conections  in  structural 
iron  or  steel  work,  so  far  as  possible,  shall 
be  made  with  soft  steel  rivets.  Tight  fit- 
ting bolts  may  be  used  in  reamed  holes 
where  it  is  impossible  to  drive  the  rivet. 
Columns  of  wrought  iron  or  steel,  sup- 
porting walls  and  floors  of  buildings,  shall 
be  so  proportioned  that  the  vertical  loads 
which  may  come  upon  them,  including  the 
bending  strain  due  to  wind  pressure,  shall 
not  produce  strains  in  tension  and  compres- 
sion of  more  than  thirty  (30)  jDcr  centum 
additional  to  the  allowable  stresses  herein- 
before specified.  The  vertical  stresses  on  col- 
umns from  live  load  shall  not  be  reduced 
more  than  that  given  by  formula  adopted 
by  Ihe  Bureau  of  Building  Inspection.  Abut- 
ting surfaces  to  be  truly  planed  to  even 
bearings  throughout,  and  to  be  spliced  s  ) 
as  to  hold  parts  in  proper  position.  Splices 
also  to  be  proportioned  for  the  bending  in 
the  columns  due  to  side  pressure,  so  that 
the  strains  on  the  bolts  and  rivets  shall 


AND   BUILDING   INSPECTORS.  33 


not   produce   strains   of   more   than  the 
allowable  stresses  hereinbefore  mentioned. 
No  column  shall  be  g-reater  in  length  than  Length  of 
forty-five  times  its  least  width  or  one  hun- 
dred  and  forty  times  its  least  radius  of 
g-yration.    Every  column  shall  rest  upon  a  Base  of 
base  plate  properly   secured  to  columns,  columns, 
and  shall  be  truly  and  squarely  planed,  so 
as  to  evenly  distribute  the  load  over  the 
footing-s.    As  far  a.s  possible,  columns  shall 
be  so  designed  as  to  have  all  parts  of  the 
column  accessible  after  erection,  for  the 
purpose  of  cleaning  and  painting.    In  all  Wind  pres- 
buildings   allowances   shall  be   made   for  sure, 
wind  pressure  which  shall  not  be  figured  at 
less  than  thirty   (30)   pounds  per  square 
foot  of  elevation,  where  erected  in  open 
spaces  or  on  wharves.   In  high  buildings, 
erected  in  built-up  districts,  the  wind  pres- 
sure shall  not  be  figured  for  less  than  twen- 
ty-five (25)  pounds  at  tenth  story,  two  and 
one-half  (2V2)  pounds  less  on  each  succeed- 
ing lower  story,  and  two  and  one-half  (2i^) 
pounds  additional  on  each  succeeding  up- 
per story  to  a  maximum  of  thirty-five  (35) 
pounds    at   fourteenth    story   and  above. 
Wind  bracing  may  be  provided  by  making  Wind  brac- 
the  connection  joint  between  girders  and^^S. 
columns  sufficient  for  the  vertical  load  as 
well   as   the   bending   due   to    side  pres- 
sure;  or  brackets  may  be  placed  at  this 
joint,  proportioned  for  the  side  pressure; 
or  diagonal  bracing  may  be  placed  between 
columns,  proportioned  to  transfer  the  shear 
of  the  side  pressure  to  the  footings.  Where 
buildings  are  narrow  and  tall,  so  that  the 
overturning  due  to  wind  is  more  than  the 
down  pressure  of  the  unloaded  building,  Base  of  col- 
the   base   of   column   must   be    anchored  umn  must  be 


teract  this  upward  strain.    Cast  iron  col-  Cast  iron 
umns  shall  be  proportioned  so  that  the  ^^^^^^^ 
loads  coming  upon  them  shall  not  produce 


34  LAWS    RELATING    TO  BUILDINGS 


Of  tough  gray 
iron. 

Least  thick- 
ness allow- 
able. 


Greatest 
length. 

Inspector 
may  require 
columns  to  be 
drilled  for 
inspection. 

Foundations 
under  col- 
umns. 

Beams  under 
columns. 


Structural 
iron  work  to 
be  cleaned 
and  painted. 


Curtain  wall, 

thicknesR  and 
construction 
of. 


strains  greater  than  the  allowable  stresses 
hereinbefore  mentioned;  cast  columns  to 
have  caps  and  bases  truly  square  so  as  to 
give  even  bearing-,  and  shall  be  bolted  to 
each  succeeding  column;  the  lugs,  caps  and 
bases  to  be  made  of  sufficient  size  to  trans- 
mit the  strains  coming  upon  them.  They 
shall  be  of  tough  gray  iron,  free  from  all 
cracks,  blow-holes,  etc.,  and  concentric  to 
outer  circumference.  In  cast  iron  columns 
or  inlets  the  least  thickness  allowable 
shall  be  three-fourths  (3/4)  of  an  inch,  and 
there  shall  be  no  variation  in  thickness, 
due  to  shifting  of  core,  of  more  than 
twenty  per  centum.  Cast  iron  columns  shall 
not  be  of  greater  length  than  twenty  times 
their  least  diameter.  The  Inspector  may 
require  columns  drilled  for  ins]3ection.  All 
footings  under  columns  shall  be  propor- 
tioned for  the  weight  coming  upon  them, 
so  as  not  to  produce  any  greater  pres- 
sure upon  the  earth  beneath  them^  as  here- 
inbefore mentioned.  All  foundations  under 
columns  shall  be  concentrically  loaded, 
and  where  necessary  shall  have  a  slip  joint 
connection  with  other  masonry.  Where 
beams  are  placed  under  columns  to  dis- 
tribute the  loads,  they  shall  be  propor- 
tioned as  girders  carrying  uniform  load, 
within  the  limits  of  the  above  mentioned 
allowable  stresses.  All  structural  steel 
and  iron  work  to  be  thoroughly  cleaned 
of  rust  and  dirt  and  covered  with  two  coats 
of  an  approved  paint  mixed  in  linseed  oil; 
all  parts  of  the  structure,  as  far  as  possi- 
ble, to  be  so  designed  as  to  be  accessible  for 
painting  after  erection.  No  curtain  wall 
in  buildings  of  skeleton  construction  shall 
be  less  than  thirteen  (13)  inches  in  thick- 
ness for  an  average  story  height  of  twelve 
feet,  and  shall  be  so  proportioned  that  a 
wind  pressure  of  thirty  pounds  per  square 
foot  at  any  panel  would  not  cause  the  wall 
to  fall. 


AND   BUILDING  INSPECTORS. 


35 


Section  44.  Where  the  inclosing  or  division 
walls  of  a  building  are  wholly  or  in  part 
supported  on  iron  or  steel  beams,  girders 
and  columns,  such  beams,  girders  and  col  Beams,  gir- 
umns  shall  be  protected  against  the  exter-  ^ers,  etc.,  to 
nal  changes  of  the  atmosphere  and  against  fire-proof- 
fire  by  a  covering  of  brick,  terra-cotta,  ing. 
fire  clay,  tile,  or  other  approved  fire  proof- 
ing, completely  enveloping  said  structural 
members    of    iron    or    steel.      Said  fire- 
proofing    around    outside    columns  and 
beams,  if  of  brick,  shall  not  be  less  than 
eight  (8)   inches;   if  of  hollow  tile,  shall 
not  be  less  than  six  (6)  inches  thick;  and  Thickness  of 
there  shall  be  at  least  two   sets  of  air 
spaces  between  the  iron  and  steel  members 
and  the  outside  of  the  hollow  tile  cover- 
ing.   In  all  cases  the  brick  or  hollow  tile 
shall  be  bedded  in  cement  mortar  close  up  How  bedded, 
to  the  iron  or  steel  members^  and  all  joints 
shall  be  made  full  and  solid.    No  building 
shall  be  deemed  a  fire-proof  building  un-What  shall  be 
less,  in  addition  to  the  above  required  cov-<le®°^^^  ^id^^" 
ering  of  the  iron  or  steel  members,  allfng°  ^ 
the  interior  columns,  beams  and  girders  be 
enveloped  in  such  fire  resisting  materials 
as   shall  be   approved  by   the  Bureau  of 
Building  Inspection.    The  filling  between  The  filling, 
the  individual  fioor  beams  and  girders  shall 
be  one  of  the  fire-proof  systems  in  use,  as 
approved  by  the  Bureau  of  Building  Inspec- 
tion, and  must  in  every  case  have  stood 
the  test  of  three  times  the  load  for  which  Test  of. 
the  floor  is  designed,  without  sign  of  crack- 
ing.   No  wood  or  other  inflammable  ma- When  wood 
terial  shall  be  used  in  any  part  of  any  such  and  other  in- 
building  except  the  doors  and  windows  and  materials^  are 
their  frariies,  the  trims,  the  casings,  the  in- used, 
terior  finish,  when  filled  at  the  back  with 
fire-proof  materials;  and  the  floor  boards 
and  sleepers  directly  under  the  spaces  be- 
tween and  under  the  sleepers  must  be  filled 
up  and  levelled  otf  at  the  top  of  said  sleep- 


36  LAWS   RELATING    TO  BUILDINGS 


ers  with  concrete  or  other  incombustible 
material. 

Wooden  shed  Section  45.  Whenever  the  owner  of  any 
allowed  when  [q-^  of  ground  is  desirous  of  improving  the 
being  erec-  same  by  the  erection  of  a  new^  building-  or 
ted.  building's  thereon,  the  Bureau  of  Building- 

Inspection  may  permit  the  ow^ner  of  such 
lot  or  the  contractor  for  the  erection  of 
such  building  or  buildings  to  put  up  a 
wooden  shed  on  the  same  or  neighboring 
lot  for  the  use  of  the  mechanics  employed 
on  said  building  or  buildings  w^hile  prepar- 
Removal  of  ing  their  work;  Provided,  however^  That 
such  permission  shall  not  extend  to  a  longer 
time  than  until  the  building  or  buildings 
proposed  to  be  erected  shall  be  entirely 
finished,  at  which  time  the  owner  or  con- 
tractor shall  take  dowm  and  remove  the 
said  shed. 

Frame  bath  Section  46.  No  frame  bath-room  pro- 
room  project-  jecting  from  the  upper  story  of  any  dwell- 
iipper^s^ry  house  shall  be  erected  within  five  feet 

of  any  similar  construction  composed 
wholly  or  partly  of  wood,  unless  the  end 
of  said  bath-room  facing  such  structure 
shall  be  covered  with  some  fire-proof 
material,  and  in  no  case  shall  the  distance 
dividing  such  structures  be  less  than  three 
feet,  unless  the  ends  shall  have  division 
^valls  of  masonry  not  less  than  nine  inches 
thick,  built  from  the  foundations  of  the 
buildings  and  carried  up  above  the  roof,  as 
hereinbefore  provided  for  party  walls.  It 
shall  not  be  lawful  to  build  a  frame  bath- 
room other  than  a  projecting  bath-room 
as  provided  for  in  this  section,  and  no  such 
bath-room  shall  be  greater  in  area  than 
Fixtures  shall  sixty  superficial  feet.  It  shall  not  be  law- 
be  placed  ful  to  build  such  bath-room  unless  the 
therein.  plumbing   fixtures  for  bath    purposes  be 

placed  therein. 

Section  47.    It  shall  only  be  lawful  to 
erect  frame  sheds  to  be  attached  to  dwell- 


AND   BUILT3ING  INSPECTORS. 


ing-s  as  follows:  The  said  shed  shall  not  Frame  sheds 
exceed  twelve  feet  in  height  nor  have  ^undfn 
floor  or  loft  between  the  ground  floor  andj^^^  ^con- 
the  roof,   and  must  not  connect  with  agtructed. 
frame  bath-room  projecting  from  an  upper 
story;  said  sheds  shall  not  be  erected  with- 
in five  feet   of  any   similar  construction 
composed  wholly  or  in  part  of  wood,  unless 
the  side  of  said  shed  facing  such  structure 
shall  be  covered  with  flre-proof  material, 
and  in  no  case  shall  the  distance  dividing 
such  structures  be  less  than  three  feet, 
unless  the  ends  shall  have  division  walls 
of  masonry  not  less  than  nine  inches  thick 
built  from  the  foundations  of  the  building 
and  carried  up  above  the  roof,  as  herein- 
before provided  for  party  walls,  or  such 
other  fire-proof  materials  as  shall  be  ap- 
proved by  the  Bureau  of  Building  Inspec- 
tion.   The  said  shed  may  be  open  or  in- 
closed, but  in  no  case  shall  it  be  lathed  or  Not  to  be 
plastered  or  lined  with  wood  so  as  to  con-  lathed  or 
stitute  a  room  to  be  occupied  as  a  habita-^^^^*^^^^' 
tion.  The  roof  of  said  shed  must  be  covered 
with  metal  or  other  fire-proof  material.  Roof  to  be 
No  such  shed  shall  extend  to  a  greater  dis-^^^-P^o^^- 
tance  than  ten  feet  in  a  direct  line  from 
the   rear  wall   to   which   it   is  attached. 
Councils  may  by  general  ordinance  per- Powers  of 
mit  and  regulate  the   erection  of  frame  Councils, 
sheds  on  wharves,  or  elevators  for  the  stor- 
age of  grain,  coal,  lumber,  and  bay  win- 
dows of  incombustible  material,  but  their 
mode  of  construction  and  location  shall  be 
subject  to  the  approval  of  the  Bureau  of 
Building  Inspection.     All  permits  granted  Permits  may 
for  the  erection  of  frame  sheds  may  be  be  revoked, 
revoked,  and  the  shed  shall  be  removed 
within  thirty  days  after  notice  from  the 
Director  of  Public  Safety. 

Section  48.    No  area  shall  extend  more  Areas,  extent 
than  one-fourth  of  the  width  of  the  pave  constrnc- 
ment  nor  in  any  case  more  than  three  ^^^^ 
feet,  measuring  from  the  inside  face  of  the 


38  LAWS    RELATING    TO  BUILDINGS 


Area  and 
vault  walls. 


Theatres  and 
all  buildings 
for  public  en- 
tertainment. 


Must  comply 
vvith  the  pro- 
visions of  this 
section. 


Mayor  shall 
refuse   to  is- 
sue license. 


area  wall  to  the  building*  line,  and  when 
areas  are  constructed  on  narrow  streets 
the  Inspector  is  to  designate  the  distance 
from  the  building  line,  and  every  area  shall 
be  covered  with  a  safe  and  substantial 
cover,  the  said  cover  in  no  case  to  extend 
above  the  grade  of  the  sidewalk.  All  area 
and  vault  walls  shall  be  constructed  of 
brick  or  stone,  and  laid  in  cement  mortar; 
the  said  walls  shall  be  of  sufficient  thick- 
ness to  resist  lateral  ^jressure. 

Section  49.  Every  building  hereafter 
erected  or  altered  to  be  used  as  a  theatre, 
opera  house,  or  other  building  intended 
for  theatrical  or  operatic  purposes,  or  for 
public  entertainments  of  any  kind,  where 
stage  scenery  and  apparatus  are  employed, 
shall  be  built  to  comply  with  the  require- 
ments of  this  section;  but  all  theatres  or 
places  of  amusement  now  existing  may  be 
altered,  providing*  such  alteration  does  not 
amount  to  a  virtual  reconstruction 
thereof,  so  as  to  make  it  a  new  building. 
No  building,  which  at  the  time  of  the  pas- 
sage of  this  act  is  not  in  actual  use  foi 
theatrical  or  operatic  purposes,  and  no 
building  hereafter  erected  not  in  conform- 
ity with  the  requirements  of  this  sec- 
iion,  shall  be  used  for  theatrical  or  operatic 
purposes,  or  for  public  entertainments 
:)f  any  kind,  where  stage  scenery  and  ap- 
paratus are  emploj^ed,  until  the  same  shall 
have  been  made  to  conform  to  the  require- 
ments of  this  section;  and  no  building  here- 
inbefore described  shall  be  opened  to  the 
public  for  theatrical  or  operatic  purposes, 
or  for  public  entertainments  of  any  kind 
where  stage  scenery  or  apparatus  are  em- 
ployed, until  the  Bureau  of  Building  In- 
spection, and  the  Bureau  of  Fire,  respec- 
tively, shall  have  approved  the  same  in 
writing  as  conforming  to  the  requirements 
of  this  section;  and  the  mayors  of  the  said 
cities  shall  refuse  to  issue  any  license  for 


Ai\D    BUILDING  INSrECTORS. 


39 


any  such  building  and  shall  close  the  same 
and  prevent  its  opening"  until  a  certificate  in 
writing  of  such  approval  shall  have  been 
given  by  the  Bureau  of  Building  Inspection 
and  the  Bureau  of  Fire,  respectively. 
Every  such  building  shall  have  at  least 
one  front  on  the  street^  which  front  shall  Front  con- 
be  as  wide  as  the  widest  part  of  the  audi-^^^^^^^^^  of. 
torium  or  assembly  hall,  and  in  such  front 
there  shall  be  suitable  means  of  entrance 
and  exit  for  the  audience,  unless  there  shall 
also  be  a  way  or  passage  leading  directly  Passageway, 
from  the  auditorium  to  another  street,  in 
which  case  the  means  of  entrance  and  exit 
by  such  way  or  passage  shall  be  taken  into 
consideration  to  such  extent  as  they  shall 
furnish  entrances  and  exits;  and,  if  they 
shall  be  of  sufficient  width  to  meet  the 
requirements  of  this  act,  there  need  be  no 
means  of  entrance  or  exit  in  front,  saving 
by  the  side  courts  hereafter  stipulated  for. 
Any  building  located  on  a  street,  having  a 
width  thereon  as  wide  as  the  widest  part 
of  the  auditorium  or  assembly  hall,  shall 
be  considered  as  having  a  front  on  said  Fronts, 
street,  within  the  meaning  of  this  act,  if. 
in  addition  thereto  there  shall  be  a  way  or 
passage  leading  from  said  theatre  to  an- 
other street,  which  way  or  passage  shall 
be  of  a  width  not  less  than  one-third  oE 
the  width  of  the  widest  part  of  said 
auditorium  or  assembly  hall.  In  addi- 
tion to  the  aforesaid  entrances  and  exits 
on  the  street,  there  shall  be  reserved 
for  service,  in  case  of  an  emergency,  an 
open  court  or  space  on  the  side  not  bor-Open  Court, 
dering  on  the  street,  where  said  building 
is  located  on  a  corner  lot,  and  on  both 
sides  of  said  building,  where  there  is  but 
one  frontage  on  the  street.  The  width  of  width  of. 
such  open  court  or  courts  shall  be  not  less 
than  seven  feet,  where  the  seating  capacity 
is  not  over  one  thousand  people;  above  one 
thousand  and  not  more  than  eighteen  hun- 


40  LAWS    llELATING    TO  BUILDINGS 


dred  people,  eig-lit  feet  in  width;  and  above 
eighteen  hundred  people,  ten  feet  in  width. 
Construction  g^id  open  court  or  courts,  if  there  be  not, 
and  extent  of.  addition  to  the  front  as  aforesaid  on 
one  street,  a  icay  or  passage  ef  the  width 
aforesaid  leading  into  another  street,  shall 
beg-in  on  a  line  with  or  near  the  prosce- 
nium wall,  and  shall  extend  the  lengiih  of 
the  auditorium  proper  to  or  near  the  wall 
separating-  the  same  from  the  entrance, 
lobby  or  vestibule  and  the  said  open  court, 
or  a  separate  and  distinct  corridor  from 
each  open  court  shall  continue  to  the  street 
tliroug-h  such  superstructure  as  may  be 
built  on  the  street  side  of  the  auditorium, 
with  continuous  walls  of  brick  or  fire-proof 
materials,  on  each  side  of  the  entire  leng-th 
of  said  corridor  or  corridors^  and  the  ceil- 
ing and  floors  shall  be  fire-proof.  If  there 
&e,  in  addition  to  the  front  on  a  street,  a 
way  or  passage  of  the  width  aforesaid  lead- 
ing into  another  street,  then  it  tcill  he 
snfflcient  if  said  open  court  or  courts  shall 
extend  along  the  auditorium  on  each  side 
thereof  to  said  front,  on  said  street,  on 
ivhich  the  theatre  shall  he  located.  Said 
corridor  or  corridors  shall  not  be  reduced 
in  width  except  by  the  thickness  of  the 
outer  walls,  and  there  shall  be  no  projec- 
tion in  the  ifeame;  the  outer  openings  to 
Doors  or  gates  be  provided  with  doors  or  gates  opening 
toward  the  street.  During  the  performance 
the  doors  or  gates  in  the  corridors  shall 
be  kept  open  by  proper  fastenings;  at 
other  times  they  may  be  closed  and  fas- 
tened by  movable  bolts  or  locks.  The  said 
open  courts  and  corridors  shall  not  be 
used  for  storage  purposes,  or  for  any 
purpose  whatsoever,  except  for  exit  and 
entrance  from  and  to  the  auditorium  and 
stage,  and  must  be  kept  free  and  clear 
Levels  of  during  performances.  The  level  of  said 
corridors.  corridors  at  the  front  entrance  to  +h3 
building  shall  not  be  greater  than  one  step 


AXD   BUILDING  INSPECTORS. 


41 


above  the  level  of  the  sidewalk  where  they 
begin   at    the    street    entrance,    and  the 
entrance  of  the  main  front  of  the  build- 
ing- shall  not  be  on  a  higher  level  from  the 
sidewalk  than  four  steps,  unless  approved 
by  the  Bureau  of  Building  Inspection.  To 
overcome  any  diiference  of  level  existing 
between  exits  from  the  parquet  into  courts 
and  the  level  of  the  said  corridors,  gradi- 
ents shall  be  employed  of  not  over  one 
foot  in  ten  feet,  with  no  perpendicular  rise 
From   the   auditorium,   opening  into   th  Exits  from  ' 
said  open  courts  or  on  the  side  street, 
there  shall  not  be  less  than  two  exits  on 
each  side  in  each  tier  from  and  including 
the  parquet,  and  each  and  every  gallery. 
Each   exit   shall  be   at  least  five  feet  in  Construction 
wddth  in  the  clear  and  provided  w^th  doors  o'- 
of  iron  or  wood;   if  of  wood^  the  doors 
shall  be  constructed  as  hereinbefore  in  this 
bill  described.    All  of  said  doors  shall  open  Doors  shall 
outwardly  and  must  be  fastened  with  mov-°P®^ 
able  bolts,  the  bolts  to  be  kept  drawn  dur-  ^* 
ing  performances.  There  shall  be  balconies  Balconies, 
not  less  than  four  feet  in  width  in  the  said 
open  court  or  courts,  at  each  level  or  tier 
above  the  parquet,  on  each  side  of  the  audi- 
torium, of  sufficient  length  to  embrace  the 
two  exits;  and  from  said  balconies  there 
shall  be  staircases  extending  to  the  ground 
level,  with  a  rise  of  not  over  eight  and 
one-half  inches  to  a  step,  and  not  less  than 
nine  inches  tread,  exclusive  of  the  nosing. 
The  staircase  from  the  upper  balcony  to  Staircases, 
the  next  below  shall  not  be  less  than  thirty 
inches  in  width  in  the  clear,  and  from  the 
first  balcony  to  the  ground  three  feet  in 
width  in  the  clear  where  the  seating  ca- 
pacity of  the  auditorium  is  for  one  thou- 
sand people  or  less,  three  feet  six  inches 
in  the  clear,  where  above  one  thousand 
and  not  more  than  eighteen  hundred  peo- 
ple, and  four  feet  in  the  clear  when  above 
eighteen  hundred  people  and  not  more  than 


42  LAWS    RELATING    TO  BUILDINGS 


twenty-five  hundred  people,  and  not  less 
than  four  feet  six  inches  in  the  clear  when 
Construction  above  twenty-five  hundred  people.  All  the 
of  stair-  before  mentioned  balconies  and  staircases 
shall  be  constructed  of  iron  throug-hout, 
including^  the  fioors,  and  of  ample  streng-th 
to  sustain  the  load  to  be  carried  by  them, 
and  they  shall  be  covered  with  a  metal 
hood  or  awning-,  to  be  constructed  as  shall 
be  directed  by  the  Inspector  of  Buildings. 
If  the  said  balconies  be  carried  to  and  con- 
nect with  an  inclosed  tower  stairway,  hav- 
ing- its  exit  directly  to  the  street,  the  open 
courts  or  corridors  hereinbefore  described 
may  have  deducted  from  their  width  the 
width  of  the  staircases  herein  called  for. 
Where  one  side  of  the  building-  borders 
on  a  street,  there  shall  be  balconies  and 
staircases  of  like  capacity  and  kind  as  be- 
fore mentioned,  carried  to  the  ground. 
When  located  on  a  corner  lot,  that  portion 
of  the  premises  bordering  on  the  side  street 
and  not  required  for  the  uses  of  the  thea- 
tre may,  if  such  portion  be  not  more  than 
twenty  feet  in  width,  be  used  for  ofiices, 
stores  or  apartments,  provided  the  walls 
separating  this  portion  of  the  theatre 
proper  are  carried  up  solidly  to  and  through 
the  roof,  and  that  a  fire-proof  exit  is  pro- 
vided from  the  theatre  on  each  tier  equal 
to  the  combined  widths  of  exits  opening  on 
opposite  sides  in  each  tier  communicating 
with  balconies  and  staircases  leading  to 
the  street,  in  a  manner  provided  else- 
where in  this  section.  Said  exit  passages 
shall  be  entirely  cut  oif  by  brick  walls 
from  said  offices^  stores  or  apartments,  and 
the  fioors  and  ceilings  in  each  tier  shall  be 
Roof  garden,  fire-proof.  Nothing  herein  contained  shall 
art  gallery,  prevent  a  roof  garden,  art  gallery  or 
rooms  for  a  similar  purpose  being  placed 
over  a  theatre  or  public  building,  provided 
the  floor  of  the  same  forming  the  roof 
over  such  theatre  or  building  shall  be  con- 


AND   BUILDING  INSPECTORS. 


43 


structed  of  iron  or  steel  and  fire-proof 
materials,  and  that  said  floor  shall  have 
no  covering  boards  or  sleepers  of  w^ood,  bnt 
be  of  tile  or  cement.  Every  roof  over  said 
garden  or  rooms  shall  have  all  sup^jorts 
and  rafters  of  iron  or  steel,  and  be  cov- 
ered with  glass  or  fire-proof  materials,  or 
both;  but  no  such  roof  garden,  art  gal- 
lery or  room  for  an^^  public  j)urpose  shall 
be  placed  over  or  above  that  portion  of 
any  theatre  or  other  building  which  is 
used  as  a  stage.  No  workshop,  storage 
or  general  property  room  shall  be  allowed 
above  the  auditorium  or  stage  or  under 
the  same,  or  in  any  of  the  fly  galleries. 
All  of  said  rooms  or  shops  may  be  located  Workshop, 
in  the  rear  or  at  the  side  of  the  stage,  but  storage 
in  such  cases  they  shall  be  separated  from^"^™^'  ^  ^* 
the  stage  by  a  brick  w^all,  and  the  openings 
leading  into  said  portions  shall  have  fire- 
proof doors  on  each  side  of  the  openings, 
hung'  to  iron  eyes  built  into  the  wall.  No 
portion  of  any  building  hereafter  erected 
or  altered,  used  or  intended  to  be  used, 
for  theatrical  or  other  purposes  as  in  this 
section  specified,  shall  be  used  or  occupied 
as  a  hotel,  boarding  or  lodging  house,  fac- 
tory, workshop  or  manufactory,  or  for  stor- 
age purposes,  except  as  may  be  hereafter 
specifically  provided  for.  Said  restriction 
relates  not  only  to  that  portion  of  the 
building  which  contains  the  auditorium  and 
the  stage,  but  applies  also  to  the  entire 
structure  in  connection  therewith.  No 
store  or  room  contained  in  the  building,  or 
the  ofiices,  stores  or  apartments  adjoin- 
ing, as  aforesaid,  shall  be  let  or  used  for 
carrying  on  any  business  dealings  in  ar- 
ticles designated  as  specifically  hazardous  No  specially 
in  the  classification  in  the  Board  of  Fire  hazardous 
Underwriters,  or  for  manufacturing  P^r-aUowed^ 
poses.  No  lodging  accommodation  shall  be 
allowed  in  any  part  of  the  building  com- 
municating with  the  auditorium.  Interior 


44  LAWS    RELATING    TO  BUILDINGS 


StaircAM  for 
audieno*. 


Prosoenium 
openings. 


Orchestra 
over  stage. 


Fireproof 
curtains. 


walls  built  of  fire-proof  materials  shall 
separate  the  auditorium  from  the  entrance 
vestibule  and  from  any  room  or  rooms  of 
the  same,  also  from  any  lobbies,  corridors, 
refreshment  or  other  rooms.  All  stair- 
cases for  the  use  of  the  audience  shall 
be  inclosed  with  walls  of  brick  or  fire-proof 
materials,  approved  by  the  Bureau  of  Build- 
ing Inspection,  in  the  stories  through 
which  they  pass,  and  the  openings  to  said 
staircases  from  each  tier  shall  be  the  full 
width  of  said  staircase.  A  fire  wall  of 
brick  shall  separate  the  auditorium  from 
the  stage,  and  the  same  shall  extend  at 
least  four  feet  above  the  stage  roof,  or  the 
auditorium  roof,  if  the  latter  be  higher,  and 
shall  be  coped.  Above  the  proscenium 
openings  there  shall  be  an  iron  girder 
covered  with  fire-proof  materials  to  pro- 
tect it  from  the  heat.  There  shall  also 
be  constructed  a  relieving  arch  over  the 
same,  the  intervening  space  being  filled  in 
with  hard-burnt  brick  of  the  full  thickness 
of  the  proscenium  wall.  Should  there  be 
constructed  an  orchestra  over  the  stage 
above  the  proscenium  opening,  the  said  or- 
chestra shall  be  placed  on  the  auditorium 
side  of  the  prosceniun.  fire  wall,  and  shall 
be  entered  only  from  the  auditorium  side  of 
said  wall.  The  moulded  frame  around  the 
proscenium  opening  shall  be  formed  en- 
tirely of  fire-proof  materials;  if  metal  be 
used,  the  metal  shall  be  filled  in  solid  with 
non-combustible  material,  and  securely  an- 
chored to  the  wall  with  iron.  The  pro- 
scenium opening  shall  be  provided  with  fire- 
proof metal  curtain  or  a  curtain  of  asbes- 
tos or  similar  fire-proof  material,  approved 
by  the  Bureau  of  Building  Inspection  slid- 
ing at  each  end  within  iron  grooves  se- 
curely fastened  to  the  brick  wall  and  ex- 
tending into  such  grooves  not  less  than  six 
inches  on  each  side.  Said  fire-proof  cur- 
tain shall  be  raised  at  the  commencement 


AND   BUILDING  INSPECTORS. 


45 


of  each  performance  and  lowered  at  tlie 
close  of  said  performance,  and  be  operated 
by  approved  machinery  for  that  purpose. 
The  proscenium  curtains  shall  be  placed  at 
least  three  feet  distant  from  the  foot- 
lights at  the  nearest  point.  There  shall 
be  no  opening-  through  the  proscenium  wall, 
except  the  curtain  opening,  and  not  more 
than  two  others,  which  shall  be  located  at 
or  below  the  level  of  the  stage.  These 
latter  openings  shall  not  exceed  twenty- 
one  superficial  feet  each,  which  shall  have 
doors  of  iron  or  wood  in  each  face  of  the 
vmll;  if  of  wood,<  the  doo^r  snail  be  lined  with 
tin  and  securely  hung  to  rabbeted  iron 
frames  or  rabbets  in  the  brick  wall.  They  Access  to 
shall  be  hung  so  as  to  be  opened  from  doors, 
either  side  at  all  times.  Direct  access  to 
these  doors  shall  be  provided  on  both  sides, 
and  the  same  shall  always  be  kept  free 
from  any  incumbrance.  Iron  ladders  or- Iron  ladders 
stairs  securely  fixed  to  the  wall,  on  the  or  stairs, 
stage  side,  shall  be  provided,  to  overcome 
any  difference  of  level  existing  between 
the  floor  or  galleries  on  the  stage  side  of 
the  fire  wall  and  those  on  the  other  side 
of  the  auditorium.  There  shall  be  pro- 
vided over  the  stage,  metal  skylights  of  an  Skylights, 
area,  or  a  combined  area,  of  at  least  one- 
eighth  of  the  area  of  the  said  stage,  fitted 
up  with  sliding  sash  and  glazed  with  double 
thick  sheet  glass,  not  exceeding  one-eighth 
of  an  inch  thick;  and  each  pane  thereof 
measuring  not  less  than  three  hundred 
square  inches,  and  the  whole  of  which  sky- 
lights shall  be  constructed  so  as  to  open 
instantly  on  the  cutting  or  burning  of  a 
hempen  cord,  which  shall  be  arranged  to 
hold  said  skylights  closed,  or  some  other 
equally  simple  approved  device  for  opening 
them  may  be  provided.  There  shall  be  pro- 
vided immediately  under  the  glass  of  said 
skylight  a  wire  netting,  or  the  skylight 
may  be  glazed  with  wire-glass.      All  that 


46  LAWS    RELATING    TO  BUILDINGS 

Stage,  con-     portion  of  the  stage  not  comprised  in  tlie 

struction  of.  working-  of  scenery,  traps  and  other  me- 
chanical apparatus  for  the  presentation  of 
a  scene,  nsuall^^  equal  to  the  width  of  the 
proscenium  opening*,  shall  be  built  of  iron 
or  steel  beams,  fillecl  in  between  with  fire- 
proof materials,  and  all  girders  for  the 
support  of  said  beams  shall  be  wrought 
iron  or  rolled  steel.  The  fly  galleries  en- 
tire including  pin-rails,  shiall  he  constructed 
of  iron  or  steel,  and  the  floor  of  said 
galleries  shall  be  composed  of  iron  or  steel 
beams,  filled  with  fire-proof  materials,  and 
no  wood  boards  or  sleepers,  shall  be  used 
as  a  covering  over  beams,  but  the  said 
floor  shall  be  entirely  fire-proof.  The  rig- 
ging loft  shall  be  fire-proof,  excerpt  the  floor 

Scenery.  covering  the  same.  All  stage  scenery,  cur- 
tains and  decorations  made  of  combustible 
material,  and  all  w^ood-work  on  or  about 
the  stage  shall  be  saturated  w^ith  some 
non-combustible  material,  or  otherwise 
rendered  safe  against  fire  to  the  satisfac- 
tion of  the  Bureau  of  Fire;  and  all  such 
stage  scenery  shall  be  raised  and  lowered 
without  the  use  of  counter  weights,  unless 
such  counter  weights  are  so  situated  that 
they  operate  against  the  wall  and  do  not 

Roof.  overhang  the   stage.     The  roof  over  the 

auditorium,  and  the  entire  main  floor  of  the 
auditorium  and  vestibule,  also  the  entire 
floor  of  the  second  story  of  the  front  super- 
structure over  the  entrance^  lobby  and  cor- 
ridors, and  all  galleries  in  the  auditorium, 
shall  be  constructed  of  iron  or  steel  and 
fire-proof  materials,  not  excluding  the  use 
of  wooden  fioor  boards  and  necessary  sleep- 
ers to  fasten  the  same  to,  but  such  sleepers 
shall  not  mean  timbers  of  support.  The 

Gallery  front*  front  of  each  gallery  shall  be  formed  of 
fire-proof  materials,  excepting  the  capping, 
which  may  be  made  of  wood.  The  ceiling 
under  each  gallery  shall  be  entirely  formed 
of  fire-proof  materials.    The  ceiling  of  the 


AND   BUILDING  INSPECTORS. 


47 


auditormm  shall  be  formed  of  fire-proof 
materials.    All     latliino-     wherever     used  Lathing, 
shall  be  of  metal.    The  partition  in  that 
portion  of  the  building-  which  contains  the  Partition, 
auditorium,    the    entrance,    vestibule  and 
every  room  and  passage  devoted  to  the  use 
of  the  audience,  shall  be  constructed  of  fire- 
proof materials,  including-  the  furring-  of 
outside  or  other  wall.    None  of  the  walls  Coverings  of 
or    ceiling-s  shall    be  covered    with  wood  walls  and 
sheathing-,  canvas  or  any  other  combustible  ceilings, 
material,  but  this  shall  not  exclude  the 
use  of  wood  wainscoting  to  a  heig-ht  not 
to  exceed  six  feet,  which  shall  be  filled  in 
solid    between    the   wainscoting    and  the 
wall  with  fire-proof  materials.    The  wall 
separating  the  actors'  dressing  rooms  from  Separating 
the  stage,  and  the  partitions  of  every  pas- walls, 
sageway  from  the  same  to  the  stage,  and 
all  other  partitions  on  or  about  the  stage, 
shall  be  constructed  of  fire-proof  material, 
approved  by  the  Bureau  of  Building  Inspec- 
tion.   All  doors  in  any  of  said  partitions  I^oors. 
shall  be  of  iron  or  of  wood,  constructed  as 
hereinbefore   described.    All   the  shelving 
and  cupboards  in  each  and  every  dressing- 
room,  property-room  or  other  storage  room 
shall   be    constructed  of   metal,  slate  or 
some  fire-proof  material.  Dressing-rooms 
may  be  placed  in  the  fly  galleries:  Provided, Proviso. 
That  proper  exits  are  secured  therefrom  to 
the  fire-escapes  in  the  open  courts,  and 
that  the  partitions  and  other  matters  per- 
taining to  dressing  rooms  shall  conform  to 
the  requirements  herein  contained,  but  the 
stairs  leading  to  the  same  shall  be  fire- 
proof.   All  seats  in  the  auditorium,  except- Seats, 
ing  those  contained  in  the  boxes,  shall  be 
firmly  secured  to  the  fioor,  and  no  seat 
in  the  auditorium  shall  have  more  than  six 
seats    intervening    between    it    and  an 
aisle  on  either  side,  and  no  stool  or  seats 
shall  be  placed  in  any  aisle.    All  platforms  platforms, 
in  galleries  formed  to  receive  the  seats 


48  LAWS    RELATING    TO  BUILDINGS 


shall  not  be  more  than  twenty-one  inches 
in  height  of  riser^  nor  less  than  thirty 

Aisles.  inches  in  width  of  platform.  All  aisles  on 

the  respective  floors  in  the  auditorium  hav- 
ing- seats  on  both  sides  of  same  shall  not 
be  less  than  three  feet  wide  where  they 
begin,  and  shall  be  increased  in  width 
towards  the  exits  in  the  ratio  of  one  and 
one-half  inch  to  live  running  feet.  Aisles 
having  seats  on  one  side  only  shall  not  be 
less  than  two  feet  wide  at  their  beginning 
and  increased  in  width  the  same  as  aisles 

Aggregate      having  seats  on  both  sides.  The  aggregate 

capacity.  capacity  of  the  foyers,  lobbies,  corridors, 
passages  and  rooms  for  the  use  of  the  au- 
dience, not  including  aisle  space  between 
seats,  shall  on  each  floor  gallery  be  sufli- 
cient  to  contain  the  entire  number  to  be 
accommodated  on  said  floor  or  gallery,  in 
the  ratio  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  super- 
ficial feet  of  floor  room  for  every  one  hun- 
dred persons.  Gradients  or  inclined  planes 
shall  be  employed  instead  of  steps,  where 
possible,  to  overcome  sl-ght  difference  of 
level  in  or  between  aisles,  corridors  and 
passages.  Every  theatre  acc::>mmodating' 
three    hundred    persons    shall    have  at 

Exits.  least  two  exits.    When  accommodating  five 

hundred  persons,  at  least  three  exits  shall 
be  provided;  these  exits  not  referring  to 
or  including  the  exits  to  the  open  court 

Doorways.  at  the  sides  of  the  theatre.  Doorways  of 
exit  or  entrance  for  the  use  of  the  public 
shall  not  be  less  than  five  feet  in  width, 
and  for  every  additional  one  hundred  per- 
sons, or  portion  thereof,  to  be  accommo- 
dated in  excess  of  five  hundred,  an  aggre- 
gate of  twenty  inches  additional  exit  widt'^ 

Location  of.  must  be  allowed.  These  doorways  of  exit 
and  of  entrance  may  be  in  the  said  front 
altogether,  or  in  the  case  of  a  theatre  hav- 
ing also  an  exit  and  entrance  directly  to  and 
from  another  street,  through  a  toay  or  pas- 
sage covered  or  otherwise,  the  width  of  one 


AND   BUILDING  INSPECTORS.  49 

third  of  that  of  the  widest  part  of  the  audi- 
torium or  assembly  hall,  some  of  the  said 
doorivays  may  he  made  therein  to  suc.i 
extent  as  said  entrance  or  passage  will  av- 
commodate  the  same.  All  doors  of  exit  or 
entrance  shall  open  outwardly,  and  be  hung 
to  swing-  in  such  manner  as  not  to  become 
an  obstruction  in  a  passage  or  corridor, 
and  no  such  doors  shall  be  closed  and 
locked  during  any  representation  or  when 
the  building  is  open  to  the  public.  Distinct 
and  separate  places  of  exit  and  entrance 
shall  be  provided  for  each  gallery  above 
the  first.  A  common  place  of  exit  and  en- 
trance may  serve  for  the  main  floor  of  the 
auditorium  and  the  first  gallery,  provided 
its  capacity  be  equal  to  the  aggregate 
capacity  of  the  outlets  from  the  main 
floor  and  said  gallery.  No  passage  lead- Passages  lead- 
ing to  any  stairway,  communicating  with  to  stair- 
any  entrance  or  exit,  shall  be  less  than^*'^'* 
four  feet  in  width  in  any  part  thereof. 
All  stairs  within  the  building  shall  be  con- Stairways, 
structed  of  fire-proof  material  throughout. 
Stairways  serving  for  the  exit  of  fifty  peo- 
ple must,  if  straight,  be  at  least  four  feet 
wide  between  railing  or  between  walls,  and 
if  curved  or  winding,  five  feet  wide,  and  for 
every  additional  fifty  people  to  be  accom- 
modated six  inches  must  be  added  to  their 
width.  In  no  case  shall  the  risers  of  any  Risers  and 
stairs  exceed  seven  and  one-half  inches  in  treads, 
height,  nor  shall  the  treads,  exclusive  of 
the  nosings,  be  less  than  ten  and  one-half 
inches  wide  in  straight  stairs.  In  circular 
or  winding  stairs,  the  width  of  the 
treads  at  the  narrowest  end  shall  not 
be  less  than  seven  inches.  Where  the  Independent 
seating  capicity  is  for  more  than  one  staircases, 
thousand  peole,  there  shall  be  at  least 
two  independent  staircases,  with  direct 
exterior  outlets  provided  for  each  gallery 
in  the  auditorium,  where  there  are  not 
more   than  two  galleries,  and  the  same 


50  LAWS    RELATING    TO  BUILDINGS 


shall  be  located  on  opposite  sides  of 
said  gallery.  Where  there  are  more 
than  two  galleries,  one  or  more  additional 
staircases  shall  be  provided,  the  outlets 
from  which  shall  communicate  directly 
with  the  principal  exit  or  other  exterior 
outlets.  All  said  staircases  shall  be  of 
width  proportioned  to  the  seating  capacity, 
as  elsewhere  herein  described.  Where  the 
seating  capacity  is  for  one  thousand  people 
or  less,  two  direct  lines  of  staircases  only 
shall  be  required,  located  on  opposite  sides 
of  the  galleries,  and  in  both  cases  shall 
extend  from  the  sidewalk  level  to  the  up- 
per gallery,  with  outlets  for  each  gallery 
to  each  of  said  staircases.  At  least  two 
independent  staircases,  with  direct  exterior 
outlets,  shall  also  be  provided  for  the  serv- 
ice of  the  stage  and  shall  be  located  on 
Inside  the  opposite  side  of  the  same.  All  inside 

stairways.  stairways  leading  to  the  upper  galleries  of 
the  auditorium  shall  be  inclosed  on  both 
sides  with  walls  of  fire-proof  materials. 
Stairs  leading  to  the  first  or  lower  galleries 
may  be  left  open  on  one  side,  in  which  cas 
they  must  be  constructed  as  herein  pro- 
vided for  similar  stairs  leading  from  the 
entrance  hall  to  the  main  floor  of  the  audi- 
torium; but  in  no  case  shall  stairs  leading 
to  any  gallery  be  left  open  on  both  sides. 
Landings.  When  straight  stairs  return  directly  on 
themselves,  a  landing  of  the  full  width  of 
both  flights,  without  any  steps,  shall  be 
provided.  Stairs  turning  at  an  angle  shall 
have  a  proper  landing,  without  winders, 
introduced  at  said  turn.  In  stairs  when 
two  side  flights  connect  with  one  main 
;  flight  no  winders  shall  be  introduced,  and 

the  width  of  the  main  flight  shall  he  at 
least  equal  to  the  aggregate  width  of  the 
side  flights.  Circular  or  winding  stairs 
shall  have  proper  landings  introduced  at 
convenient  distances.  All  inclosed  stair- 
cases shall  have  on  both  sides  strong  hand- 


AND   BUILDING   INSPECTORS.  51 

rails  firmly  secured  in  the  wall,  about  three 
inches  therefrom,  and  about  three  feet 
above  the  stairs,  but  said  handrail  shall 
not  run  on  level  platforms  and  landings 
where  the  same  is  more  in  length  than  the 
width  of  the  stairs.  All  staircases  six  feet  Handrails 
and  over  in  width  shall  be  jorovided  with 
a  centre  handrail  of  hard  wood  or  metal, 
not  less  than  two  inches  in  diameter,  placed 
at  a  height  of  about  three  feet  above  the 
centre  of  the  treads,  and  supported  on 
wrought  iron  or  brass  standards  of  suffi- 
cient strength,  placed  not  farther  than  four 
feet  apart,  and  securely  bolted  to  the 
treads  or  risers  of  stairs,  or  both,  and  at 
the  head  of  each  flight  of  stairs,  on  each 
landing,  the  post  or  standaM  shall  be  at 
least  six  feet  in  height,  to  which  the  rail 
shall  be  secured.  Every  f  team  boiler  which  Steam  boiler 
may  be  required  for  heating  or  other  pur- 
poses, shall  be  located  outside  the  build- 
ing, and  the  space  alloted  to  the  same  shall 
be  inclosed  by  walls  of  masonry  on  all 
sides,  and  the  ceiling  of  such  space  shall 
be  constructed  of  fire-proof  material.  All 
doorways  in  said  wall  shall  have  iron  doors. 
No  floor  register  for  heating  shall  be  per- Floor  regis- 
mitted.  No  coil  or  radiator  shall  be  placedters  forbidden 
in  any  aisle  or  passageway  used  as  an  exit 
where  it  forms  an  obstruction,  but  all  said 
coils  and  radiators  shall  be  placed  in  re- 
cesses formed  in  the  wall  or  partition  to 
receive  the  same.  All  supply,  return  or 
exhaust  pipes  shall  be  properly  encased 
and  protected  where  passing  through  floorsstandpipes. 
or  near  woodwork.  Standpipes  of  two  and 
one-half  inches  in  diameter,  shall  be  pro- 
vided, with  hose  attachments,  on  every 
floor  and  gallery  as  follows,  namely:  One 
on  each  side  of  the  auditorium  in  each 
tier,  also  one  on  each  side  of  the  stage  in 
each  tier,  and  at  least  one  in  the  property 
room,  and  one  in  the  carpenter  shop,  if 
the  same  be  contiguous  to  the  building. 


52  LAWS    RELATING    TO  BUILDINGS 


All  such  standpipes  shall  be  kept  clear 
from  obstruction.  Said  standpipes  shall  be 
separate  and  distinct,  receiving-  their  sup- 
ply of  water  from  the  steam  pump  and 
shall  be  fitted  with  the  regulation  coup- 
lings of  the  fire  department,  and  shall  be 
kept  constantly  filled  with  water  by  means 
of  an  automatic  steam  pump  or  pumps  of 
sufficient  capacity  to  supply  all  the  lines 
of  hose  when  operated  simultaneously,  and 
the  said  pump  or  pumps  shall  be  supplied 
from  the  street  main^  and  be  ready  for 
immediate  use  at  all  times  during  a  per- 
Automatic  formance  in  said  building.  A  separate 
sprinklers.  and  distinct  system  of  automatic  sprink- 
lers, with  fusible  plugs,  approved  by  the 
Bureau  of  Fire,  supplied  with  water  from 
a  tank  located  on  the  roof  of  the  stage, 
and  not  connected  in  any  manner  with  the 
standpipe,  shall  be  placed  up  and  around 
the  proscenium  opening  and  on  the  ceil- 
ing- or  roof  over  the  stage,  at  such  inter- 
vals as  will  protect  every  square  foot  of 
stage  surface  when  said  sprinklers  are  in 
operation.  Automatic  sprinklers  shall  also 
be  placed  wherever  practicable  under  the 
stage  and  in  the  carpenter's  shop,  paint 
room,  store  rooms  and  property  rooms.  A 
Hose.  proper  and  sufficient  quantity  of  two  and 

one-half  inch  hose,  fitted  with  the  regu- 
lation couplings  of  the  fire  department,  and 
with  nozzles  attached  thereto,  and  with  hose 
spanners  at  each  outlet^  shall  always  be 
kept  attached  to  each  hose  attachment. 
There  shall  also  be  kept  in  readiness  for 
immediate  use  on  the  stage  at  least  four 
casks  full  of  water  and  two  buckets  to 
each  cask.  Said  casks  and  buckets  shall 
be  painted  red.  There  shall  also  be  pro- 
Hand  pumps,  vided  hand  pumps  or  other  portable  fire 
extinguishing  apparatus,  and  at  least  four 
axes  and  two  twenty-five-foot  hooks  two 
fifteen-foot  hooks  and  two  ten-foot  hooks, 
on  each  tier  or  floor  of  the  stage.  Every 


AND   BUILDING  INSPECTOBS. 


53 


portion  of  the  building  devoted  to  the  uses 
or  accommodation  of  the  public,  also  all 
outlets  leading  to  the  streets  and  including 
the  open  courts  and  corridors,  shall  be 
well  and  properly  lighted  during  every  per- Lighting  of 
formance,  and  the  same  shall  remain  building, 
lighted  until  the  entire  audience  has  left 
the  premises.  At  least  two  or  more  oil 
lamps,  on  each  side  of  the  auditorium  in 
each  tier,  shall  be  provided  on  fixed  brack- 
ets, not  less  than  seven  feet  above  the  floor. 
Said  lamps  shall  be  filled  with  whale  or 
lard  oil  and  shall  be  kept  lighted  during 
each  performance,  or  in  place  of  said  lamps 
candles  shall  be  provided.  All  gas  or  elec- 
tric lights  in  the  halls,  corridors,  lobby, 
or  any  other  part  of  the  said  buildings 
used  by  the  audience,  except  the  audito- 
rium must  be  controlled  by  a  separate  shut-  Separate 
off,  located  in  the  lobby,  and  controlled  s^V^'^^ 
only  in  that  particular  place.  Gas  mains 
supplying  the  building  shall  have  independ-Gas  mains, 
ent  connections  for  the  auditorium  and 
the  stage,  and  provisions  shall  be  made 
for  shutting  off  the  gas  from  the  out- 
side of  the  bTiilding.  When  the  in- 
terior gas  lights  are  not  lighted  by  electric- 
ity, other  suitable  appliances,  approved  by 
the  Bureau  of  Fire,  shall  be  provided.  All 
suspended  or  bracket  lights  surrounded  by 
glass,  in  the  auditorium  or  in  any  part 
of  the  building  devoted  to  the  public,  shall 
be  provided  with  proper  wire  netting 
underneath.  No  gas  or  electric  light  shall  Gas  or  elec- 
be  inserted  in  the  walls,  woodwork,  ceil-*^^^  lights, 
ings,  or  in  any  part  of  the  building  un- 
less protected  with  fire-proof  materials. 
All  lights  in  passages  and  corridors  in 
said  building,  and  wherever  deemed  neces- 
sary by  the  Bureau  of  Fire,  shall  be  pro- 
tected by  proper  wire  network.  The  foot- Footlights, 
lights  in  addition  to  the  wire  network,  shall 
be  protected  by  strong  wire  guard,  not  less 
than  two  feet  distant  from  said  footlights. 


54 


LAWS    KELATIKG    TO  BUILDINGS 


and  the  trough  containing  said  footlights 
shall  be  formed  of  and  surrounded  by  fire- 
Stage  lights,    proof  materials.    All  stage  lights  shall  be 
incandescent  electric  lights,  where  the  cur- 
rent can  be  obtained,  and  shall  be  con- 
structed according  to  the  best  knoAvn  meth- 
oQs  and  subject  to  the  approval  of  the  Bu- 
reau of  Fire,  and  shall  be  suspended  for 
Air  ducts  and  ten  feet  by  wire  rope.    All  ducts  or  shafts 
shafts.  used  for  conducting  heated  air  from  the 

main  chandelier,  or  from  any  other  light 
or  lights  shall  be  constructed  of  metal 
and  made  double,  with  an  air  space  be- 
tween. All  stagelights  shall  have  strong 
metal  wdre  guards  or  screens,  not  less  than 
ten  inches  in  diameter^  so  constructed  that 
any  material  in  contact  therewith  shall 
be  out  of  reach  of  the  flames  of  said  stage 
lights,  and  must  be  soldered  to  the  fix- 
tures in  all  cases.  The  standpipes,  gas 
pipes,  electric  wires,  hose,  footlights  and  all 
apparatus  for  extinguishing  of  fire  or 
guarding  against  same  as  in  this  section 
s])eeified  shall  be  in  charge  and  under  the 
c  ntrol  of  the  Bureau  of  Fire,  Department 
v.f  Public  Safety;  and  said  Department  is 
hereby  directed  to  see  that  the  arrange- 
ments in  respect  thereto  are  carried  out  and 
enforced,  and  Councils  may,  by  ordinance, 
fix  a  reasonable  compensation  for  such 
Diagram  on  services.  A  diagram  or  plan  of  each  tier, 
program.  gallery,  or  floor,  showing  aistinctly  the 
exits  therefrom,  shall  be  printed  in  a  legi- 
ble manner  on  the  program  of  the  per- 
Marking  of  formance.  Every  exit  shall  have  over  the 
exits.  same,    on    the    inside   the  word  '*EXIT," 

painted  in  legible  letters  not  less  than 
eight  inches  high.  It  shall  be  within  the 
power  of  the  Mayor,  after  full  report  from 
the  Department  of  Public  Safety,  to  cause 
the  closing  up  of  any  theatre,  opera  house, 
or  public  hall,  where,  in  the  judgment  of 
the  Mayor  and  the  Department  of  Public 
Safety,   the   ingress   and   egress   are  not 


AND   BUILDING  INSPECTORS. 


55 


reasonably  safe  for  the  safe  and  speedy 
exit  of  the  audience  in  case  of  fire  or  panic. 

Section  50'.    The  cities  of  the  first  class  License  fee 
may,  by  ordinance,  regulate  and  determine 'or  permits, 
the  license  fee  for  the  permits  as  required 
by  the  provisions  of  this  act;  the  said  fees  Payment  of 
to  be  paid  by  them  into  the  city  treasury  in 
the  manner  and  form  as  is  now  provided  by 
law.    The  said  cities  may,  by  general  or- Councils  may 
dinance,  limit  the  height  of  buildings,  and  limit  the 
regulate  the  management  and  inspection 
of  elevator  hoistways  and  elevator  shafts  g^f.^  * 
in  said  cities. 

Section  51.    In  the  event  of  failure  to 
obtain  a  permit,  or  in  any  case  of  final  de- 
cision, either  of  an  Inspector  or  of  the 
Bureau,  or  of  an  examining  commission, 
such  decison  or  order  or  certificate,  that 
no  permit  has  been  issued,  may  be  at  once, 
if  not  complied  with,  certified  to  any  court 
of  common  pleas,  which  shall  upon  appli-  Qourt  may 
cation  of  such  bill  of  complaint,  duly  veri- issue  manda- 
fied  by  affidavit,  either  of  the  Director  oftory  injunc- 
Public  Safety,  the  Chief  of  the  Bureau  oftion  if  final 
Building    Inspection,    or    any    Inspector  ^^^^^^^^^^^ 
thereof,  or  of  any  member  of  an  examining 
commission,  issue  a  mandatory  injunction 
requiring  compliance  with  such  order  or 
decision    within    five    days,    or    within  a 
shorter  time  if  the  relief  sought  is  the 
removal  of  a  dangerous  wall,  ceiling  or 
structure,  and  the  court  sees  proper  to  fix 
a  shorter  time;  that  all  petitions,  bills  or 
complaints  to  compel  compliance  with  the 
provisions  of  this  act  shall  be  given  prior- 
ity over  other  business  or  cases  by  any 
court  of  common  pleas  to  which  the  final 
decision  of  an  Inspector,  the  Bureau  of 
Building  Inspection,  or  of  an  examining  com-If  injunction 
mission  appointed  b^^  the  Director  of  Pub- is  iio*  com- 
lic  Safety,  shall  be  certified.    If  said  in-P^^^^ 
junction  is  not  complied  with  within  the  ^^^qj.^^/ 
lime  specified  by  the  court,  or  if  it  can- sheriff  to  act. 


r)6  LAWS   RELATING    TO  BUILDINGS 


not  for  any  reason  be  served,  the  court 
shall  have  power  to  enforce  its  order 
by  attachments  or  to  issue  an  order 
to  any  sheritf,  commanding  him  to  re- 
move the  waii,  building*  or  structure 
condemned  by  the  building  inspectors 
(either  as  contrary  to  the  provisions 
of  this  act  or  as  dangerous),  under  the 
supervision  of  the  Bureau  of  Building  In- 
spection or  such  Inspector  as  the  Chief 
Power  of  of  the  Bureau  shall  designate.  The  sheriff 
sheriff.  shall  have  povs^er  to  employ  such  compe- 

tent builders,  riggers^  and  w^orkmen  as 
shall  be  necessary  to  carry  out  the  order 
of  the  court.  He  shall  certify  to  the  court 
when  he  has  performed  the  work  re- 
Cost,  how  col-  quired  to  be  done,  the  cost  incurred,  and 
lected.  such  bill  being  approved  by  the  court  and 

not  being  paid  by  the  owner  of  the  prem- 
ises, the  court  shall  have  power  by  man- 
damus execution  to  compel  the  city  to  pay 
such  cost.   The  court  shall  upon  the  issuing 
of  such  mandamus  execution,  direct  that 
the    p^rothonotary    of    the    court  shall 
Amount  of      enter  the  amount  thereof  as  a  lien  against 
cost  shall  be   the  premises,  whereon  the  order  was  en- 
a  hen  against  forced  and  the  costs  incurred,  and  the  city 
the  premises.  .  t_         x  j.x.         mj.  a 

paymg  such  costs  may  thereafter  proceed 

in  the  case,  wherein  the  order  was  made 
City  may  col-  to  collect  such  bill  of  costs  and  the  proper 
lect  bill  of    docketed  costs  thereon,  by  the  same  proc- 
ess  and  proceedings  and  under  the  same 
restrictions  as  are  now  provided  for  or 
required    by    law    for    the    collection  of 
claims  for  the  removal  of  nuisances  in  said 
Lien  not  dis-  cities,  and  said  lien  shall  not  be  discharged 
charged  by     by  any  judicial  sale  until  paid,  and  the  sai5 
witn^^^vd^^    ^^^^  P^yi^g"  such  costs  may  also^  by  action 
lui  1    poi  .  assumpsit,  recover  the  same  from  the 

owner  or  owners  of  the  said  premises. 

Section  52.  Any  person  or  persons,  firms 
or  corporations,  whether  owner,  builder, 
contractor,  architect  or  workman,  who 
shall  make  any  alteration,  construction  or 


AND   BUILDING  INSPECTORS. 


57 


removal  of  any  building  or  structure  what- 
soever, without  permit  therefor  first  issued, 
or    in    violation    of    any    of    the  provi- 
sions of  this  act,  or  who  shall  have  be- 
come the  owner  thereof  after  the  same 
has  been  so  done,  and  who  shall  omit,  neg- 
lect, or  refuse  to  remove  the  same,  if  dan- 
gerous or  in  violation  of  this  act,  or  to 
make  the  same  safe  and  secure,  and  in  all 
respects  conform  to  the  requiremnts  of 
this  act  within  thirty  (30)  days  after  notice 
to  that  effect,   shall  forfeit  and  pay  for  Penalty  for 
each  offence    the  sum  of  seventv-five  (75)  violation  of 
dollars,  and  the  further  sum  of  ^  fifty  (50)  Provisions  of 
dollars   for   every    period    of   one  month 
for  which  the  said  person  or  persons  shall 
omit,   neglect   or   refuse   to    remove  the 
same,   or  make  it  comply  with  this  act 
after  the  expiration  of  the  notice  afore- 
said; and  any  person  or  persons,  firm  or 
corporation,  who  shall  contract  for  the  erec- 
tion or  construction  of  any  building  or  other 
thing  in  violation  of  any  of  the  provisions 
of  this   act,   shall  be   subject  to   a  pen- 
alty of  fifty  (50)  dollars.    All  of  the  afore- Actions  for 
said  penalties  to  be  recovered  as  penalties  recovery  of 
of  equal  amount  are  or  shall  be  recover- '^^"jl^^^^^ 
abl  e,  in  the  name  and  for  the  use  of  the^g^^g  ^^^y 
cit^'',  and  when  collected  shall  be  paid  into 
the  treasury  thereof. 

Section  53.    All  acts  or  parts  of  acts  in-l^epeal 
consistent  herewith,  or  supplied  hereby,  be 
and  the  same  are  hereby  repealed. 


Approved— The  5th  day  of  May,  A.  D.  1899. 

WILLIAM  A.  STONE. 

[Note  :— Section  49,  as  printed  above,  is  Supple- 
mental Act  No  241.  approved  by  Governor  Stone 
the  5tb  day  of  June,  A.  D.  1901,  and  takes  the  place 
of  original  Section  49  of  the  Act  ot  May  5th,  1899.] 


58  LAWS    RELATING    TO  BUILDINGS 


No.  236. 


AN  ACT. 


Buildings  of 
the  second 
class. 


To  further  regulate  the  construction, 
maintenace  and  inspection  of  building-s 
and  party  walls  in  cities  of  the  first  class. 

Cities  of  the  Section  1.  Be  it  enacted,  etc.,  That  all 
first  class.      buildings  hereafter  erected  or  altered,  in 

cities  of  the  first  class,  shall  be  classified  as 

follows: 

Buildings  of  Buildings  of  the  first  class  shall  include 
the  first  class,  ^11  buildings  in  which  the  walls,  floors,  col- 
umns, girders,  beams,  partitions,  and  roofs 
are  of  stone,  brick,  terra-cotta,  concrete, 
steel,  iron  or  such  other  fire-proof  material 
as  shall  be  approved  by  the  Bureau  of 
Building  Inspection. 

Buildings  of  the  second  class  shall  in- 
clude all  buildings  the  walls  of  which  are 
as  hereinbefore  specified  for  buildings  of 
the  first  class,  but  in  which  the  floors,  col- 
umns, beams  and  girders  are  of  the  con- 
struction known  as  "slow-burning  construc- 
tion," in  which  all  columns  and  girders 
shall  be  of  wood,  and  in  which  no  column 
shall  be  of  less  dimensions  than  sixty-four 
square  inches,  and  no  girder  or  floor  beam 
less  than  six  inches  in  its  least  dimension. 
The  flooring  to  be  of  plank  not  less  than 
two  and  three-quarters  inches  thick,  when 
dressed,  and  the  roof  of  plank  not  less  than 
one  and  three-quarters  inch  thick,  when 
dressed:  Provided,  That  in  such  build- 
ings, iron  or  steel  may  be  used  for  beams, 
columns  or  girders,  if  the  same  be  protected 
with  flre-proofing  materials,  as  hereinafter 
set  forth  for  buildings  of  the  first  class. 

Buildings  of  the  third  class  shall  include 
all  buildings  the  walls  of  which  are  as  here- 
inbefore specified  for  buildings  of  the  first 
class,  but  which  in  their  interior  construc- 


Buildings  of 
the  third 
class. 


AND   BUILDING   INSPECTORS.  59 


tion  are  not  in  accordance  with  the  re- 
quirements as  hereinbefore*  set  forth  for 
building-s  of  the  first  and  second  classes, 
or  the  floors  of  which  may  be  of  ordinary 
house  or  joist  construction. 

Buildings  of  the  fourth  class   shall  in- Buildings  of 
elude  all  building's  other  than  those  of  the  the  fourth 
character  specified  for  first,   second  and^^^^®* 
third  class  construction. 

Section  2.    Any  building-  hereafter  erec- Buildings 
ted  or  altered^  to  be  used  as  a  hospital,  which  shall 
asylum,    or    institution   for   the    care       grst' cj^gg 
treatment  of  persons,  the  heig*ht  of  which  ^ 
exceeds   two  stories,    and  every  building 
hereafter  erected  or  altered,,  to  be  used  as 
an  apartment-house,  tenement-house,  flat- 
house,  lodging-house,  hotel,  school,  or  po- 
lice station,  the  height  of  which  exceeds 
four  stories,  shall  be  a  builSing  of  the  first 
class;  and  no  building  of  any  kind,  except 
as  hereafter  provided,  shall  be  erected  or 
raised  to  a  height  exceeding  sixty-five  feet,  Limits  of 
except  the  same  be  a  building  of  the  first  height, 
or  second  class;  and  no  building  shall  be 
erected  or  raised  to  a  height  exceeding 
eighty-five  feet,  except  the  same  be  a  build- 
ing of  the  first  class;  and  all  buildings  of  a 
height  exceeding  six  stories  shall  be  build- 
ings of  the  first  class. 

All  buildings  of  the  first  class  hereafter  Warehouse, 
erected  or  altered,  to  be  used  for  ware- store  or 
house,  store  or  factory  purposes,  shall  be^^^*^^^- 
so  divided  by  fire-proof  walls  or  partitions  Fire-proof 
on  every  floor,  except  as  hereinafter  P^'^'^f/o^g^^ 
vided,  that  no  space  on  any  floor,  not  so  ^ 
divided,  shall  exceed  twenty-five  thousand 
square  feet;  and  no  existing  wall  or  par- 
tition in  an^^  such  buildings,  shall  be  re- 
moved so  as  to  leave  a  space,  not  so  di- 
vided, of  more  than  twenty-five  thousand 
square  feet.    Such  walls  or  partitions  shall 
extend  from  the  fire-proof  construction  of 
the  floors  to  the  fire-proof  beam  filling  of 


60  LAWS   RELATING    TO  BUILDINGS 


Openings  in 


Fire-doors. 


When  pro- 
tected by  au- 
tomatic 
sprinklers. 


Beams,  gir- 
ders, etc.,  to 

be  protected 
by  fire- 
proofing. 


the  ceilings.  The  openings  or  doorways 
in  any  such  tvalls  or  partitions  shall  not 
exceed  three  in  number  for  each  floor, 
for  each  such  wall  or  partition,  and  no 
such  opening*  shall  exceed  ten  feet  in  height 
or  ten  feet  in  width.  Each  opening  must 
be  provided  with  two  sets  of  standard  fire- 
doors,  separated  by  the  thickness  of  the 
wall  or  partition,  said  doors  to  be  con- 
structed and  hung  as  provided  elsewhere 
in  this  act.  All  of  the  said  openings 
through  partitions  of  fire-proof  material 
shall  have  metal  frames  or  studs,  securely 
fastened  to  floor  and  ceiling,  and  such 
metal  studs  shall  be  covered  with  such  fire- 
resisting  materials  as  shall  be  approved  by 
the  Bureau  of  Building  Inspection.  No 
wood  for  framing  or  fastening  shall  be  used 
for  such  openings:  Provided,  however, 
That  the  space  or  spaces  of  the  first  or 
grade  floor  of  any  such  buildings  may  ex- 
ceed twenty-five  thousand  square  feet, 
when  the  entire  building  is  under  the  pro- 
tection of  an  approved  system  of  auto- 
matic sprinklers,  so  long  as  such  system 
shall  be  kept  and  maintained  in  complete 
working  order.  If  such  system  shall  not 
be  maintained  and  kept  in  such  order^  it 
shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Bureau  of  Build- 
ing Inspection  to  give  written  notice  to 
the  tenants  or  owners,  served  upon  the 
premises,  of  said  fact,  and  within  sixty 
days  thereafter  the  division  by  fire-proof 
walls  or  partitions,  as  above  provided,  shall 
be  made,  and  thereafter  maintained. 

No  building  shall  be  deemed  a  building 
of  the  first  class  unless  the  enclosing  or 
division  walls  are  wholly  or  in  part  sup- 
ported on  iron  or  steel  beams,  girders  and 
columns;  such  beams,  girders  and  columns 
shall  be  protected  against  the  external 
changes  of  the  atmosphere  and  against 
fire  by  a  covering  of  brick,  terra-cotta,  fire- 
clay, tile  or  other  approved  fire-proofing, 


AND   BUILDING  INSPECTORS. 


61 


completely  enveloping  said  structural  mem- 
bers of  iron  or  steel.     Said  fire-proofing 
around  outside  columns  and  beams,  if  of 
brick,  shall  not  be  less  than  eight  inches, 
if  of  hollow  tile,  shall  not  be  less  than  six  Thickness  of. 
inches  thick,  and  there  shall  be  at  least 
two  sets  of  air  spaces  between  the  iron 
and  steel  members  and  the  outside  of  the 
hollow  tile  covering.    In  all  cases  the  brick 
or  hollow  tile  shall  be  bedded  in  cement  How  bedded, 
mortar  close  up  to  the  iron  or  steel  mem- 
bers, and  all  joints  shall  be  made  full  and 
solid.    No  building  shall  be  deemed  a  fire- What  shall  be 
proof  building  unless,  in  addition  to  the ^^^^^^^ji^^.®- 
above  required  covering  of  the  iron  and  ing. 
steel  members,  all  the  interior  columns, 
beams  and  girders  be  enveloped  in  such 
fire-resisting   materials    as    shall   be  ap- 
proved by  the  Bureau  of  Building  Inspec- 
tion.   The   filling  between   the   individual  The  filling, 
fioor  beams  and  girders  shall  be  one  of 
the  fire-proof  systems  in  use,  as  approved 
by  the  Bureau  of  Building  Inspection,  and  ^N. 
must  in  every  case  have  stood  the  test  of  Test.  ^ 
three    times    the    load    for    which  the 
floor  is  designed,  without  sign  of  crack- 
ing.   No  wood  or  other  inflammable  ma- Where  wood 
terial    shall    be    used    in    any    part    of^^-y  ^® 
any  such  building  except  the  doors  and 
windows  and  their  frames,  the  trims,  the 
casings,  the  interior  finish^  when  fllled  at 
the  back  with  fire-proof  materials;  and 
the  fioor  boards  and  sleepers,  directly  imder 
the  spaces  between  and  under  the  sleepers, 
must  be  filled  up  and  leveled  off  at  the  top 
of  the  said  sleepers  with  concrete  or  other 
incombustible  material.     All  interior  col- interior  col- 
umns, and  the  lower  fianges   of  all  gir-umns,  etc. 
ders  of  iron  or  steel,  shall  be  protected 
with  at  least  three  inches  of  brick,  terra- 
cotta, concrete,  or  other  fire-resisting  ma- 
terials, as  shall  be  approved  by  the  Bureau 
of  Building  Inspection.    The  web   of  all 
girders,  and  the  fianges  and  web  of  all 


G2  LAWS    E  ELATING    TO  BUILDINGS 


Fire-proofing, 


Bases  of  col- 
umns. 


Portland 
cement. 


Span  of 
arches. 


Concrete  or 

heterogene- 
ous system. 


Pipes,  con- 
duits, etc. 


Grain  eleva- 
tors, spires, 
towers,  etc. 


beams,  to  be  protected  by  not  less  than 
two  inches  of  terra-cotta,  brick,  concrete,  or 
other  fire-proof  material;  but  the  extreme 
outer  edge  of  lugs,  brackets,  and  similar 
supporting  metal  may  project  within 
one  inch  of  the  surface  of  the  fire-proofing. 
Where  the  bases  of  iron  or  steel  columns 
are  independent,  the  said  bases  shall  be 
either  cast-steel,  thoroughly  annealed,  or 
built-steel  bolsters.  Built  sections  of  gir- 
ders or  columns,  in  which  all  parts  are 
not  accessible  after  erection^  shall  be  filled 
with  concrete,  in  the  proportion  of  one 
part  of  Portland  cement  to  three  parts  of 
sand  and  five  parts  of  stone,  to  pass  a 
three-fourths  of  an  inch  mesh.  The  max- 
imum span  for  arches  of  brick,  terra-cotta, 
concrete,  or  other  patent  floors,  shall  not 
exceed  eight  feet;  but  nothing  herein  con- 
tained shall  prohibit  the  use  of  reinforced 
concrete  or  heterogeneous  systems,  pro- 
vided the  depth  of  the  floor  beams  or  gir- 
ders is  three-flfths  of  an  inch  per  foot  of 
span,  and  that  a  test  for  strength,  and 
fire  and  water  resistance,  satisfactory  to 
the  Bureau  of  Building  Inspection,  shall 
be  given  for  said  reinforced  or  heterogen- 
ous system.  No  arch  in  any  floor  system 
shall  have  a  rise  of  less  than  one  and  one- 
quarter  inch  per  foot  of  span. 

In  buildings  of  the  first  class,  all  pipes, 
conduits,  mains,  wiring,  and  conveyances 
for  conducting  heat,  light  or  water,  shall 
be  encased  m  separate  fire-proof  ducts, 
and  shall  not  be  enclosed  in  the  fire-proof- 
ing surrounding  any  column,  girder  or 
beam  of  steel  or  iron. 

Provided,  also.  That  this  section  shall 
not  apply  to  one-story  buildings,  used  only 
for  working  in  non-combustible  materials, 
and  that  nothing  contained  in  this  section 
shall  prevent  the  erection  of  grain  ele- 
vators, church  spires,  towers  for  observa- 
tion purposes,  and  structures  for  similar 


AND   BUILDING   INSPECTORS.  63 


uses,  all  of  which  structures  shall  be  con- 
structed in  such  manner  and  under  such 
conditions  as  may  be  prescribed  by  the 
Bureau  of  Building  Inspection. 

Section  3.  Buildings  of  the  second  class  Floor  areai. 
in  which  any  floor  area  between  exterior 
walls  exceeds  fifteen  thousand  square  feet, 
and  buildings  of  the  third  class  in  which 
any  floor  area  between  exterior  walls  ex- 
ceeds five  thousand  square  feet,  shall  be 
so  divided  by  walls  of  brick,  stone,  con-  Jj^. 
Crete,  or  such  other  fire  resisting  material  ^^igtiug 
as  shall  be  approved  by  the  Bureau  of  Build-  terial. 
ing  Inspection,  that  no  space  inside  such 
building  shall  exceed  fifteen  thousand  or 
five  thousand  square  feet,  respectively,  as 
hereinbefore  set  forth;  the  said  walls  to 
be  of  the  thickness  as  now  required  by 
law,  and  shall  extend  through,  and  at 
least  three  feet  above  the  roof.  No  exist- 
ing walls  in  any  buildings  of  the  second 
or  third  class  shall  be  removed,  so  as  to 
leave  a  space  inside  any  building  which 
shall  exceed  the  areas  hereinbefore  set 
forth  for  each  class. 

Provided,  however,  That  in  buildings  of  Proviso, 
the  third  class,  the  floor  area  may  be  sev- 
enty-five hundred  square  feet,  if  the  floors 
and  roof  be  made  of  plank  not  less  than 
one  and  three-quarters  inch  thick,  when 
dressed. 

Openings  may  be  made  in  such  division  Openings  in 
walls,  of  the  size^  number  and  character  division  wallis 
as  provided  in  Section  2,  for  buildings  of  the 
first  class,  if  protected  by  standard  fire- 
doors  as  provided  in  that  section. 

Provided  further,  That  this  section  shall  Proviso, 
not  apply  to  private  dwellings,  nor  to  one- 
story  buildings  used  only  for  working  in 
non-combustible  materials. 

In  buildings  other  than  buildings  of  the  Skeleton  wall 
first  class,  skeleton  wall  construction  shall  construction, 
not  be  permitted. 
3 


64  LAWS    RELATING    TO  BUILDINGS 


Party  walls.  All  party  walls  in  building's  of  the  first, 
second  and  third  classes,  except  dwellings 
and  building's  of  similar  lig-ht  construction, 
shall  extend  through,  and  at  least  three 
feet  above  the  roof. 
Stairways.  Section  4.    All  stairways  hereafter  placed 

in  any  buildings  of  the  lirst,  second  or  third 
Warehouse,  classes,  used  for  warehouse,  store  or  fac- 
toix  tory  purposes,  and  in  which  any  floor  area 

between  exterior  walls  exceeds  five  thou- 
Eleyators,        sand  square  feet,  and  all  elevators,  hoist- 
etcl       ^  ^  ^ways,  hatchways,  well-holes,  chutes,  damb- 
waiters  and  interior  light  or  vent  shafts,  or 
shafts  of  any  descrjpnon,  hereafter  placed 
in  any  building,  except  such  flre-proof  build- 
ings as  are  occupied  tor  office  purposes  only. 
Enclosure        shall  be  enclosed,  between  floors  and  ceil- 
^*  ings  of  each  story,  in   suitable  walls  of 

brick,  or  with  a  suitable  frame-work  of 
iron  and  burnt  clay  fill.ngj  or  of  such  other 
fire-proof  material  and  form  of  construc- 
tion as  may  be  approved  by  the  Bureau 
of  Building  Inspection,  except  that  the  en- 
closure walls,  required  by  this  section,  in 
any  non-fire-proof  buildings,  used  as  ware- 
houses or  factories,  shall  be  of  brick.  All 
such  walls  or  construction^  where  the  ele- 
vator, stairs,  hoist,  hatchway,  chute,  dumb- 
waiter, light  or  vent  shaft,  or  other  shaft, 
extends  to  the  top  floOir,  shall  extend 
through,  and  at  least  three  feet  above  the 
roof.  If  the  enclosure  walls  are  of  brick, 
any  of  the  above  shafts  may  be  in  the 
same  enclosure,  provided  the  stairways  are 
constructed  of  non-combustible  material. 
Interior  open- All  interior  openings  in  the  enclosure  wails 
ings  in  walls,  of  elevators,  stairw^ays,  hoistways,  hatch- 
ways, chutes  and  dumb-waiters,  shall  be 
provided  with  fire-proof  doors,  made  solid 
for  their  full  height,  and  set  in  fire-proof 
Lights  of  frames  and  fittings.  Lights  of  wire-glass, 
wire-glass.  metal  frames,  may  be  placed  in  such 

doors  and  in  the  enclosure  walls,  but  no 
one  pane  of  wire-glass  shall  exceed  in  area 


AND   BUILDING  INSPECTORS. 


65 


two  hundred  and  fifty  square  inches,  be- 
tween muntins.  All  exterior  openings  in 
the  enclosure  walls  of  stairways,  elevators, 
or  dumb-waiters,  and  all  openings  in  the 
walls  of  interior  light  or  vent  shafts,  shall 
be  provided  with  approved  wire-glass  win- 
dows set  in  approved  metal  frames,  but  no 
one  pane  of  wire-glass  in  such  windows 
shall  be  larger  than  twenty-four  inches  by 
thirty  inches  between  muntins.  Automatic 
closing  trap  doors^  tin-lined  on  the  under  Trap-doors, 
side,  at  each  floor,  when  approved  by  the 
Bureau  of  Building  Inspection,  may  be  sub- 
stituted for  the  above  named  enclosure 
walls  for  hoistways  (without  cars),  hatch- 
ways and  chutes. 

The  roofs  over  the  enclosed  elevators,  Roofs  over 
stairways,  hoistways,  hatchways,  chutes 
and  dumb-waiters  shall  be  made  of  fire- 
p(rooff  materials,  with  a  sky-light  or 
side-lights  above  the  roof,  at  least  three- 
quarters  the  area  of  the  shaft,  made  of 
glass  set  in  iron  frames.  When  the  shafts  Bottom  floor 
do  not  extend  to  the  ground,  the  bottom  shafts, 
floor  of  the  shaft  shall  be  constructed  of 
fire-proof  material.  In  all  buildings  of  the 
first,  second  or  third  class,  in  which  any 
floor  area  between  the  exterior  walls  is 
five  thousand  square  feet  or  less,  the  stair- 
ways shall  be  of  such  number,  and  protected 
in  such  manner,  as  may  be  approved  by  the 
Bureau  of  Building  Inspection. 

In  any  building  now  existing,  in  which  Elevators, 
there  is  an  elevator,  dumb-waiter,  interior  chutes, 
light  or  vent  shaft,  hoistway,  hatchway, 
chute,  well-hole,  or  shaft  of  any  descrip- 
tion, not  enclosed  in  walls  constructed  and 
arranged  as  required  in  this  act,  the  open- 
ings thereof,  through  and  upon  each  floor  gates 
.  of   said  building,   shall  be   provided   with  or  \rap-doors. 
and  protected  by  a  substantial  guard  or 
vertical  enclosure,  and  gate  or  gates,  or 
with  such  good  and  sufficient  trap-doors, 


66  LAWS    RELATING    TO  BUILDINGS 


To  be  closed 
when  not  in 
use. 


Trap-doors 

construction 

of. 


Enclosing 
walls  of  hoist- 
ways,  hatch- 
ways, etc. 

Metal  lining. 


Proviso. 

Trap-doors 
may  be  sub- 
stituted. 


or  both,  as  may  be  directed  and  approved 
by  the  Bureau  of  Building-  Inspection. 
Such  g-uards  or  enclosure  gates  shall  be 
kept  closed  at  all  times  when  not  in  actual 
use,  and  trap-doors  shall  be  closed  at  the 
close  of  the  business  of  each  day,  by  the  oc- 
cupant or  occupants  of  tne  building  having 
the  use  or  control  of  the  same.  When  in 
the  opinion  of  the  Chief  of  the  Bureau  of 
Building  Inspection  automatic  closing  trap- 
doors are  required  for  any  such  floor  open- 
ings, the  same  shall  be  tin  lined  on 
the  under  side,  and  constructed  so  as  to 
form  a  substantial  floor  surface,  when 
closed,  and  so  arranged  for  elevators  as 
to  open  and  close  by  the  action  of  the 
elevator  in  its  passage,  ascending  or  de- 
scending. 

Provided,  however,  That  in  every  build- 
ing- now  or  hereafter  used  or  occupied  as 
a  hotel,  lodging-house,  apartment  or  tene- 
ment-house, store,  warehouse  or  factory, 
or  where  a  number  of  persons  are  em- 
ployed, or  which  is  used  for  public  assem- 
blage, in  which  there  is  any  elevator,  hoist- 
way,  hatchway,  well-hole,  chute,  or  dumb- 
waiter, enclosed  in  walls  constructed  of 
combustible  material,  the  enclosing  walls 
of  such  elevators,  hoistways,  hatchways, 
well-holes,  chutes  and  dumb-waiters,  shall 
either  be  lined  with  metal,  securely  fas- 
tened on  the  inside  of  the  shaft,  or  such 
elevators,  hoistways,  hatchways,  well-holes, 
chutes,  and  dumb-waiters  shall  be  enclosed 
in  suitable  walls,  constructed  and  arranged 
as  required  for  elevator  shafts  in  this  act: 
Provided,  however,  That  approved  auto- 
matic closing  trap-doors,  tin-lined  on  the 
under  side,  and  so  constructed  as  to  form 
a  substantial  floor  surface  when  closed, 
and  so  arranged  for  elevators  as  to  open 
and  close  by  the  action  of  the  elevator  in 
its  passage,  either  ascending  or  descending, 
may  be  substituted  for  such  metal  lining, 


AND   BUILDING   INSPECTORS.  G7 


when  in  the  opinion  of  the  Chief  of  the 
Bureau  of  Building  Inspection  such  traj)- 
doors  will  provide  the  required  protection. 

In  existing-  buildings,  passenger  elevators,  Pasenger 
enclosed  in  open  grille  work,  may  be  elevators, 
erected  in  staircase  enclosures,  where  the 
entire  space  occupied  by  the  stairs  and 
elevators  is  inclosed  in  brick  or  stone  walls, 
or  walls  of  such  other  fire-proof  material 
and  form  of  construction  as  may  be  ap- 
proved by  the  Bureau  of  Building  Inspec- 
tion: Provided,  That,  in  warehouses,  stores, 
or  factories,  all  openings  in  the  enclosing 
walls  must  be  provided  with  fire-proof 
doors,  or  wire-glass  in  metal  frames,  as 
provided  elsewhere  in  this  section  for  ele- 
vator and  stairway  enclosures. 

Provided,  however,  That  nothing  in  this  Proviso, 
section  shall  apply  to  any  building  not  over 
two  stories  in  height,  nor  to  private  dwell- 
ings and  buildings  of  similar  light  con- 
struction, stores  with  private  dwelling  oc- 
cupancy entirely  above  the  grade  floor,  and 
stables. 

Section  5.    Whenever  standard  fire-doors  standard  fire- 
or  fire-shutters  are  referred  to  in  this  act,  g^^^^g^g^^ 
they    shall    be    constructed    as  follows, 
namely:  Not  less  than  two  thicknesses  of 
one-inch  boards,  laid  diagonally,  and  se- 
curely fastened  together  by  wrought-iron 
clinched  nails,  and  covered  with  I.  C.  tin- 
plates,  not  exceeding  fourteen  by  twenty 
inches,  joints  to  be  locked  one-half  inch 
and  nailed  under  seams,  and  corners  to 
have  mitre-fold,   (not  mitre-joint.)    Doors  ' 
and  shutters  to  overlap  sides  and  top  of 
opening  four  inches,  and  to  close  tight 
against     smooth     masonry     (not  wood 
trimmed)  and  sill.   Sills  to  be  of  non-com-  sills, 
bustible  material,  resting  on  and  built  into 
brick  or  stone  wall,  and  extending  under 
and  beyond  outer  surface  of  door.  Doors 
and  shutters  to  be  hung  on  wrought-iron 


68  LAWS   KELATING    TO  BUILDINGS 


wall-eyes,  or  to  slide  on  track  of  heavy  flat- 
rolled  steel.    All  hardware,  such  as  hing*es, 
hangers,    wall-eyes,    track-bolts,  binders, 
handles,   latches,   catches,   etc.,   to   be  of 
heavy  wroiig*ht-iron,  built  in  wall  or  bolted 
To  be  closed   through  wall  or  door  or  shutter.    All  fire- 
when'^build-^  doors  and  shutters  shall  be  closed  at  night, 
ing  is  not  in  and  whenever  the  building  is  not  in  ac- 
actual  use.      tual  use;  at  least  one  in  three  shutters, 
on  each  floor  above  the  first,  being  so  ar- 
ranged that  it  can  be  opened  from  both 
outside  and  inside. 

Section  6.  In  all  buildings  hereafter 
erected  or  altered  to  be  used  for  ware- 
to  house,  store,  or  factory  purposes,  the  walls 
shall  not  be  furred  with  wood;  nor  shall 
any  partition,  extending  from  floor  to  ceil- 
ing, be  constructed  with  wooden  studs. 
In  non-fire-proof  buildings,  to  be  used  for 
ware-house,  store  or  factory  purposes, 
such  partitions  shall  be  constructed  of 
some  non-combustible  material  to  be  ap- 
proved by  the  Bureau  of  Building  Inspec- 
tion, or  of  plank  not  less  than  three  inches 
thick,  With  tongues,  and  dressed  on 
all  sides.  If  such  walls  or  partitions  are 
to  be  plastered,  the  plaster  shall  be  ap- 
plied directly  to  the  masonry  or  partition, 
or  over  metal  lath,  without  air  spaces  be- 
hind it. 

In  all  buildings  hereafter  erected  or  al- 
tered to  be  used  for  ware-house,  store  or 
factory  purposes,  the  ceilings  shall  not  be 
furred  with  wood,  nor  shall  any  wooden 
or  combustible  material  be  applied  to  form 
a  ceiling.  If  plaster  is  applied  it  shall  be 
applied  over  metal  lath. 

Section  7.  All  buildings  of  the  first,  sec- 
ond and  third  classes,  hereafter  erected 
or  altered  to  be  used  as  school-houses,  ten-' 
ement  houses,  apartment  houses,  flat- 
houses,  stores,  ofiices,  manufactories,  work- 
shops, mills  or  places  of  assembly  or  re- 


Walls  not 
be  furred 
with  wood. 


Partitions. 


Plastering. 


Ceilings. 


Tower  fire 
escapes. 


AND   BUILDING   INSPECTORS.  ^9 


sort,  shall  have,  in  addition  to  the  main 
stairs  or  other  means  of  eg*ress,  a  tower 
fire-escape,  or  escapes^  as  set  forth  in  the 
following  schedule: 


BUILDINGS  OF  THE  FIRST  CLASS. 


Schedule. 


ONE  TOWER  FIRE-ESCAPE, 


Number  of 
stojies 
in  height. 
3  or  4, 
5, 
6, 
7, 
8, 
9, 
10, 
11, 
12, 


Maximum  area 
per  floor 
in  square  feet. 
20,000 
15,000 
12,000 
10,000 
9,000 
8,000 
7,500 
7,000 
6,500 


TWO  TOWER  FIRE-ESCAPES. 

Area  per  floor  in 
square  feet. 

Over  20,000  to  25,000 
Over  15,000  to  25,000 
Over  12,000  to  25,000 
Over  10,000  to  22,000 
Over  9,000  to  20,000 
Over  8,000  to  18,000 
Over  7,500  to  17,000 
Over  7.000  to  16,000 
Over  6,500  to  15,000 


BUILDINGS  OF  THE  SECOND  AND  THIRD 


CLASSES. 


ONE  TOWER  FIRE-ESCAPE. 


Number  of 

stories 
in  height. 

3, 
4, 
5, 
6, 


Maximum  area 
per  floor 
in  square  feet. 
10,000 
6,000 
4,500 
3,500 


TWO  TOWER  FIRE-ESCAPES. 

Area  per  floor  in 
square  feet. 

Over  10,000  to  15,000 
Over  6,000  to  12,000 
Over  4,500  to  10,000 
Over  3,500  to  8,000 


If  the  total  floor  space  above  the  second 
floor  exceeds  the  number  of  square  feet 
as  set  forth  in  the  above  schedule,  there 
may  be  required,  in  addition  to  the  above 
mentioned  number  of  fire-escapes,  as  many 
additional  tower  fire-escapes  as  the  Chief  Additional 
of  the  Bureau  of  Buildinp-  Inspection  may  tower  fire 
determine.  ^^^^^p^^- 

The  location  and  construction  of  all  stair- Location  and 
ways  and  tower  fire-escapes  shall  be  de- construction 
termined  and  approved  by  the  Chief  of  the 
Bureau  of  Building*  Inspection. 

Provided,  That  this  section  does  not  apply  Proviso, 
to  ofiice  buildings  of  the  first  class,  nor  to 
buildings  less  than  three  stories  high,  and 
buildings  of  a  greater  number  of  stories 
in  height  than  two,  in  which  the  stories 


70  LAWS    RELATING    TO  BUILDINGS 


above  the  second  story  are  not  occupied 
Proviso.  by  persons:  Provided^  That  in  store  build- 

ings, in  v^hich  the  tov^er  fire-escapes  in  the 
first  story  would  interfere  w^ith  the  bulk 
w^indows,  the  said  tower  may  stop  at  the 
second  floor  level,  and  that  an  exterior, 
continuous  balcony  be  provided  at  the  sec- 
ond floor  level,  with  drop  ladders. 

All  buildings  used  as  stores,  department 
stores,  or  buildings  of  any  kind  in  which 
people  assemble  in  the  basement  of  said 
stores  or  buildings,  there  shall  be  provided 
safe  means  of  egress  from  the  basement, 
leading  directly  to  the  street,  the  proper 
location  of  such  places  of  egress  to  be 
determined  by  the  Chief  of  the  Bureau  of 
Building  Inspection. 

Section  8.  In  this  act  the  term  "height" 
of  a  building  means  the  vertical  distance 
of  the  highest  point  of  the  roof,  in  the 
ease  of  flat  roofs;  and  for  high-pitched 
roofs,  the  average  of  the  height  of  the 
^  gable  above  the  mean  grade  of  the  curbs 

of  all  the  streets,  or  the  mean  grade  of  the 
natural  ground  adjoining  the  building,  if 
the  said  grade  or  ground  is  not  below  the 
grade  of  the  curb. 

Fiepeal.  Section  9.    So  much  of  said  acts  or  parts 

of  acts  conflicting  herewith  are  hereby  re- 
pealed. 

Approved— The  25th  day  of  April,  A.  D. 
1903. 

SAML.  W.  PENNYPACKER. 


Egress  from 
basement. 


"Height"  de- 
fined. 


The  foregoing  is  a  true  and  correct  copy 
of  the  Act  of  the  General  Assembly  No.  236. 

FRANK  M.  PULLER, 
Secretary  of  the  Commonwealth. 


AND    BUILDING    INSPECTORS.  71 


THE  ACT 

Of  June  7,  1895,  provides: 

Section  1.    That  no  tenement  house  shall  Construction 
hereafter  be  erected,  altered  or  constructed  ^ouses^^^^"^ 
in  any  city  of  the  first  class,  unless  such         ^'  , 
erection,  alteration  or  construction  shall 
be  in  conformity  with  the  provisions  of  this 
act. 

Section  2.    Every  tenement  house  here-  Open  space  in 
after  erected,  altered  or  constructed  in  any  l^^^  required, 
city  of  the  first  class,  shall  have  attached  except  where  ' 
to  it  in  the  rear  or  at  the  side  an  open  erected  upon 
space  equal  in  area  to  at  least  twenty  ^^^^^^  ^o^- 
per   centum    of   the    entire    area    of  the 
lot   upon  v^hich   said   tenement  house  is 
erected,  vv^hich  open  space  shall  be  unob- 
structed  by  any   over-hang*ing-  structure, 
except  fire-escapes  required  by  law,  unless, 
however,   such  tenement   house    shall  be 
erected   upon   a   corner   of   two  streets, 
neither  of  which  is  less  than  twenty  feet 
in   width,    in    which    case    said  tenement 
house  shall  have  an  open  space  attached 
to  it  in  the  rear  or  at  the  side  next  the  ad- 
joining- lot,  equal  in  area  to  at  least  ten 
per  centum  of  the  entire  area  of  the  lot 
upon  which  said  tenement  house  is  erec- 
ted, which  open  space  shall  be  unobstruc- 
ted by  any  overhanging-  structure,  except 
fire-escapes  required  by  law;  and  any  such 
tenement  house  which  shall  be  erected  upon 
a  lot  bounded  on  three  sides  by  streets 
not  less  than  twenty  feet  in  width,  may 
be  erected  to  cover  the  entire  area  of  said 
lot:  Provided,  That  every  window  opening- 
from  the  living-  rooms  in  said  tenement 
house  shall  open  upon  one  of  such  streets. 
Such  open  space  attached  to  every  such  Dimensions 
tenement  house  shall  be  at  least  eig-ht  feet     ^^^^  open 
in  width  throug-hout  its  entire  length.    No  ^P^^®* 
court   or   open   space   between  tenement 


72  LAWS   RELATING    TO  BUILDINGS 


houses  or  between  wing's  of  a  tenement 
honse  shall  be  of  a  less  width  than  twelve 
feet.  If  such  tenement  house  shall  be  built 
upon  a  lot  which  is  bounded  upon  two  op- 
posite sides  by  streets,  then  at  least  one 
end  of  every  such  open  space  shall  abut 
Light  and  air  upon  one  of  such  streets.  Every  court  or 
shafts.  shaft  which  shall  be  built  for  the  purpose 

of  furnishing*  light  or  air  to  any  such  tene- 
ment house  shall  open  upon  one  side  into 
a  street  or  into  the  yard  or  open  space, 
except  such  shafts  as  may  be  necessary  for 
the  ventilation  of  water  closets  or  bath 


Windows  in 

tenement 

houses. 


Corridors. 


Dimensions 
of  rooms. 


Section  3.  Every  room  in  every  such 
tenement  house  shall  have  at  least  one 
window  opening-  upon  a  street  or  upon  the 
open  space  provided  for  in  the  second  sec- 
tion of  this  act.  And  the  distance  from 
every  window  in  every  such  tenement  house 
to  the  wall  or  party  line  opposite  to  it 
shall  be  at  least  eig^ht  feet.  The  halls  on 
each  floor  of  every  tenement  house  shall 
have  a  window  or  windows  opening-  either 
upon  a  street  or  upon  the  open  space  pro- 
vided for  in  the  second  section  of  this  act, 
and  shall  have  no  room  or  other  obstruc- 
tion at  the  end  unless  sufficient  lig-ht  and 
ventilation  is  otherwise  provided  for  said 
halls  in  a  manner  approved  by  the  Chief 
of  the  Bureau  of  Building*  Inspection.  But 
whenever  in  the  judg^ment  of  the  Chief  of 
the  Bureau  of  Building-  Inspection  it  shall 
be  possible  to  construct  such  tenement 
houses  without  corridors  connecting-  the 
entrance  of  several  tenements  or  suites  of 
rooms,  the  Chief  of  the  Bureau  of  Building 
Inspection  may  require  that  such  tenement 
house  be  so  constructed  that  it  shall  con- 
tain no  such  corridors. 

Section.  4.  Every  habitable  room  in  every 
such  tenement  house  shall  be  of  s  ich 
dimensions  as  to  contain  at  least  seven 


AND   BUILDING  INSPECTORS. 


73 


hundred  cubic  feet  of  air.   Every  habitable 

room  in  every  such  tenement  house  shall 

be  in  every  part  not  less  than  eight  feet 

in  height  from  floor  to  ceiling-,  and  every 

vs^indow^  shall  have  an  opening-  of  not  less  Size  of  win- 

than  twelve  square  feet  in  superficial  area,^^^''^' 

but  the  Bureau  of  Building  Inspection  may 

permit  v^indov^s  of  less  size  than  tw^elve 

square  feet  if  more  than  one  window^  is 

provided  for  a  room,  so  that,  however,  the 

total  window  space  for  one  room  shall  not 

be  less  than  twelve  square  feet. 

Section  5.  All  stairways  in  such  tenement  Stairways  in 
houses  shall  lead  directly  to  the  ground  ho^^s^g 
floor.  The  location  and  construction  of 
all  stairways  shall  be  determined  by  the 
Chief  of  the  Bureau  of  Building  Inspec- 
tion, so  as  to  provide  for  the  safety  of 
the  occupants  of  such  tenement  house. 

All  such  tenement  houses  shall  be  pro- Fire  escapes, 
t^ided  with  a  tower  fire-escape  or  tower 
fire-escapes,  enclosed  in  incombustible  ma- 
terial, the  number  and  location  of  which 
shall  be  determined  by  the  Chief  of  the 
Bureau  of  Building  Inspection. 

All  stairways  shall  have  a  rise  of  not  Construction 
over  eight  inches  to  a  step  and  not  less^   s  airways, 
than  nine  inches  tread,  exclusive  of  the 
nosing.     All   stairways   and   all  hallways  Width  of 
must  not  be  less  than  three  feet  in  width  ^aTway^  ^""^ 
in    houses    containing    less    than  fifteen 
rooms,  not  less  than  three  feet  six  inches 
in  width  in  houses  containing  not  less  than 
fifteen  rooms  and  not  more  than  twenty- 
five  rooms,  and  not  less  than  four  feet  in 
width  in  houses  containing  twenty-five  or 
more  rooms. 

Section  6.   In  every  such  tenement  house  Water  closets 
there  shall  be  one  water  closet  for  everr  J^QuIgg^^^^^^ 
tenement  or  suite  of  rooms  w^hich  has  its      '  ' 
own  independent  hallway,  so  separated  that 
its  rooms  do  not  open  into  or  connect  with 
any  other  rooms;  and  in  tenement  houses 


74  LAWS    RELATING    TO  BUILDINGS 


SO  constructed  that  a  tenement  may  con- 
sist of  a  single  room  or  of  two  rooms, 
there  shall  be  at  least  one  water  closet 
for  every  three  rooms:  Provided,  That  in 
the  case  of  buildings  existing  at  the  date 
of  this  act,  which  shall  hereafter  be  altered 
into  tenement  houses,  there  shall  be  one 
water  closet  for  six  rooms,  but  not  less 
than  one  for  each  floor.  Every  water 
closet  shall  be  separated  from  every  other 
water  closet,  and  shall  have  an  entrance 
entirely  independent  of  the  entrance  to 
every  other  water  closet.  There  shall  also 
Water  supply,  be  an  independent  water  supply,  and  at 
least  one  sink  for  every  tenement  or  suite 
of  rooms.  No  hydrant  shall  be  permitted 
in  the  yard  or  open  space  provided  for  in 
the  second  section  of  this  act. 

Section  7.  In  every  such  tenement  house 
there  shall  be  a  suitable  receptacle  for 
ashes,  constructed  of  incombustible  ma- 
terial, and  interior  chutes  or  shafts  leading 
to  the  same  shall  not  be  permitted. 

Section  8.  All  such  tenement  houses, 
more  than  four  stories  in  height,  which 
shall  hereafter  be  erected,  altered  or  con- 
structed, shall  be  made  fire-proof  through- 
out: Provided,  however  That  this  section 
shall  not  preclude  the  use  of  wooden  floor 
boards  and  sleepers  or  beams  to  which  to 
fasten  the  same,  which,  however,  shall  be 
imbedded  to  their  top  surface  in  incom- 
bustible material. 

Plans  and         Section  9.    The  Chief  of  the  Bureau  of 
^Pacifications   Building  Inspection  shall  require  such  plans 
with^  Chief  of  and  specifications  of  any  proposed  erec- 
Bureau  of      tions,  alterations  or  constructions  of  tene- 
Building        ment'  houses  as  sufficiently  set  forth  and 
inspection.      ^ecoTd  the  intent  of  the  builder  to  comply 
with  the  requirements  of  this  act  to  be 
filed  with  him.   And  no  permit  for  the  erec- 
tion or  construction  of  any  such  tenement 
houses  shall  be  granted  unless  the  same 


Receptacle 
for  ashes. 


Tenement 

houses  to  be 
fire-proof. 


AND   BUILDING   INSPECTOKS.  75 


shall  be  in  conformity  with  the  provisions 
of  this  act. 

Section  10.    Any  person  who  shall  erect,  Penalties  for 
alter  or  construct  such  a  tenement  house,  ^|gj ^^^3° If  ^^°g 
except  in  conformity  with  the  provisions  act. 
of  this  act,  shall  be  gnuty  of  a  misde- 
meanor, and  on  conviction  thereof,  be  sen- 
tenced to  an  imprisonment  not  exceeding 
three  months,  or  to  pay  a  fine  not  exceed- 
ing five  hundred  dollars,  or  both^  at  the 
discretion  of  the  court. 

Section   11.      Whenever   any   owner   or  Owner  or 
builder  shall  deem  himself  aggrieved  by  ^j^J/g^^T  f^^^^ 
any  decision  of  the  Chief  of  the  Bureau  of  decision  of 
Building  Inspection  made  in  performance  Chief  of 
of  the  powers  conferred  upon  him  by  this  ^'•*'*« 
act,  such  owner  or  builder  shall  be  entitled 
to  an  appeal  from  such  decision,  as  pro- 
vided by  Section  5  of  the  act  to  which  this 
is  a  supplement. 

Section  12.  The  term  tenement  house  in  Definition  of 
this  act  shall  be  taken  to  mean  every  ^^^^^g^®^^ 
building  which,  or  a  portion  of  which,  is 
occupied  or  is  to  be  occupied  as  a  residence 
of  three  or  more  families,  living  independ- 
ently of  each  other,  and  doing  their  cook- 
ing upon  the  premises. 


THE  ACT 

Of  March  11,  1862,  provides  that: 

The  Board  of  Surveyors  and  Regulators  Board  of  Sur- 
of  the  City  of  Philadelphia  shall,  in  addi- ^^/^Jj^^^^^d 
tion  to  the  duties  now  imposed  upon  them,  peSorm^^du- 
perf orm  the  duties  hereinafter  prescribed,  ties  as  fence 
as  fence  viewers;  in  addition  to  the  ^^^1^  be^^worn  *to 
now  prescribed  to  be  taken  by  the  said  t^^e  faithful 
surveyors   and   regulators,   they   shall   be  discharge  of 
sworn  or  affirmed  to  discharge  their  duties  ^^^^  duties, 
as  such  viewers,  faithfully  and  impartially. 


7G 


LAWS   RELATING    TO  BUILDINGS 


President  of 
Board  of  Sur- 
veyors and 
Regulators  on 
application  to 
appoint  three 
members  of 
Board  to  ex- 
amine line  or 
party  fence. 


To  give  cer- 
tificate and 
apportion 
cost. 

Copy  of  cer- 
tificate to  be 
given  to  par- 
ties. 

Report  to  bo 
made  to 
Board. 


Partition 
fences  in 
rural  districts 
to  be  substan- 
tially made. 

Construction 
of  same. 

Tight  board 
or  palisaded 
fences  in 
built  up  por- 
tion of  City. 

Board  to  des- 
ignate kind  of 
fence. 

Cost  of  such 
fences. 


On  application  made  to  the  said  Board 
of  Surveyors  and  Regulators  the  president 
shall,  at  the  first  meeting-  of  said  Board 
thereafter,  appoint  three  members  thereof, 
who  shall,  within  five  days  thereafter,  pro- 
ceed to  view  and  examine  any  line  or  par- 
tition fence,  and  shall  make  out  a  certifi- 
cate in  writing-,  setting  forth  whether  in 
their  opinion  the  fence,  if  one  has  been 
already  built,  is  lawful  or  otherwise;  and 
if  not  lawful,  or  if  no  fence  is  built  upon 
said  line,  then  stating  what  proportion  of 
costs,  repairing  the  old  or  building  a  new 
fence,  should  be  borne  by  each  party;  and 
in  each  case  they  shall  set  forth  the  sum 
each  party  ought  to  pay  to  the  other,  in 
case  he  should  build  or  repair  the  other 
party's  portion  of  said  fence,  a  copy  of 
which  certificate  shall  be  delivered  to  each 
of  the  parties;  and  they  shall  also  present 
to  the  said  Board  at  the  next  stated  meet- 
ing thereafter  a  report  of  their  proceed- 
ings, which  report,  if  approved  said 
Board,  after  hearing  of  the  parties  in- 
terested, shall  be  final  and  conclusive. 

All  partition  fences  dividing  inclosed 
lands  within  the  rural  districts  of  the  said 
City  of  Philadelphia  shall  be  substantially 
made,  at  least  four  feet  six  inches  high,  of 
sufiicient  rails  or  logs,  the  bottom  rails  or 
logs  to  be  not  more  than  eight  inches 
above  the  ground;  and  in  built  up  portions 
of  said  city,  a  tight  board  or  palisaded 
fence,  substantially  built,  at  least  six  feet 
high;  and  in  either  case  the  said  viewers 
and  Board  of  Surveyors  and  Regulators 
shall  have  power  to  designate  the  kind  of 
fence  to  be  built:  Provided,  The  costs  in 
the  rural  districts  shall  not  exceed  twelve 
cents  per  lineal  foot,  and  in  the  built  up 
portions  of  said  city,  not  exceeding  twenty- 
five  cents  per  lineal  foot. 

In  all  cases  where  a  building  shaD  be  a 
part  of  such  party  fence  the  owner  of  the 


AND   BUILDING   INSPECTORS*  77 


ground  on  which  such  building-  is  erected  Proportion  of 
shall  be  allowed  for  so  much  of  said  build-  building  ^1  ^ 
ing  as  forms  part  of  the  partition,  as  part  part  of  a 
of  the  whole  fence  in  proportion  to  the  party  fence, 
cost  of  the  whole,  and  in  case  the  parties 
shall  agree  to  divide  any  partition  fence 
between    them,    such    agreement,    setting  Agreement  to 
forth  the  kind  of  fence  and  what  portion  tion'^fe^Sf'to 
of  the  same  each  party  shall  make  and  be  filed., 
keep  in  repair,  shall  be  filed  in  the  office 
of  the  Board  of  Surveyors  and  Kegnlators, 
to  be  kept  as  a  public  record.    All  laws 
applying    to    fence    viewers    or    partition  Laws  hereby 
fences  in  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  as  are  ^J^g^^^f^^  qj. 
hereby  altered,  amended  or  supplied,  are  g^ppije^j^  j.q_ 
hereby  repealed.  pealed. 


THE  ACT 


Of  March  22,  1865,  provides  that: 

If  the  party  who  shall  be  delinquent  in  Delinquent 
making  or  repairing  any  fence  in  accord- P|?'^y^Jo^^^?j"^ 
ance  with   an3r  provisions   of   the   act   to  fence,  or 
which  this  is  a  supplement  shall  not,  with- party  ag- 
in ten  days  after  the  report  shall  have  I^^^Jq  ^^t^lSs 
been  approved  by  the  Board  of  Surveyors  expense, 
and  Regulators,  proceed  to  repair  or  build 
said  fence,  and  complete  the  same  or  build 
said  fence,  and  complete  the  same  in  a 
reasonable  time,  it  shall  be  lawful  for  the 
parties  aggrieved  to  repair  or  build  said 
fence;  and  if  the  costs  for  the  work  done 
and  materials  furnished  are  not  paid  by 
the  delinquent  party  within  three  months 
after  the  completion  of  the  same,  a  lien  Lien  may  be 
may  be  filed  against  the  premises  for  said  ^J.g^jc|g^fQp 
cost  s  and  expenses,  which  shall  be  of  the  ^^g^^^^^.^  ^J'j. 
same  eifect,  and  may  be  sued  out  and  col-penses. 
lected  in  the  same  manner,  as  municipal 
claims  are  now  by  law  collected. 


78 


LAWS   RELATING    TO  BUILDINGS 


THE  ACT 


Of  May  6,  1870,  provides  that: 

Duties  of 

Yejors''LT^'     ^^^^  a^*^^         passage  of  this  act 

Regulators  as  the  duties  to  be  performed  by  the  Board 
fence  viewers  of  Surveyors  and  Regulators  of  the  City  of 
formed^by"  the  I^l^iladelphia  as  fence  viewers,  as  provided 
Building  by  the  Act  of  March  eleventh,  one  thou- 
Inspectors.  sand  eight  hundred  and  sixty-tv^o,  shall  be 
Building  In-  performed  by  the  Building  Inspectors  of 
specters  to  fix  said  city,  who  shall  have  authority  to  fix 
erectfon  or  re-  prices  to  be  paid  for  the  erection  or 
pairs  of  repairs  of  such  fences  as  may  come  under 
fences;  their  official  inspections,  and  they  shall  re- 

dollars  to  be  ^^^^^  ^  three  dollars  in  each  case, 

paid  by  appli-  to  be  paid  by  the  applicant  for  view, 
cant. 


AN  ORDINANCE 


To  regulate  the  construction  of  frame 
buildings,  fences  and  bay  windows,  ap- 
proved March  28,  1894. 

Frame  build-  Section  1.  The  limits  within  which  all 
built  °\n^  cer-  buildings  hereafter  erected  or  altered  shall 
tain  portions  be  required  to  conform  to  the  Act  of  As- 
of  the  city,  sembly  of  May  7,  1855,  and  of  the  Acts  in 
amendment  thereof  and  in  addition  thereto, 
and  of  the  Act  of  June  8,  1903,  are  hereby 
established  and  defined  as  follows:  All 
that  portion  of  the  city  which  is  included 
on  or  within  that  portion  of  the  First 
Ward,  bounded  on  the  south  by  Oregon 
avenue  from  the  Delaware  River  to  SeTenth 
street,  thence  along  Seventh  street  to  the 
Back  Channel  League  Island;  all  that  por- 
tion of  the  city  which  is  included  within 
the  Second,  Third,  F#«rth,  Fifth,  Sixth, 
Seventh,  Eighth,  Ninth,  Tenth,  Eleventh, 
Twelfth,  Thirteenth,  Fourteenth,  Fifteenth, 
Sixteenth,  Seventeenth,  Eighteenth,  Nine- 
teenth and  Twentieth  Wards;  and  all  that 


AND   BUILDING   INSPECTORS.  79 


portion  of  the  Twenty-first  Ward  on  or 
within  the  following-  boundary  lines,  viz.: 
Beg-inning  at  Port  Royal  avenue  and  Schuyl- Lmms^^witiiin 
kill  river,  thence  along-  Port  Royal  avenue  buildings  can- 
to Ridg-e  avenue,  thence  along-  Ridg"e  ave-not  be  erected 
nue  to  Roxborough  avenue,  thence  along* 
Roxborough  avenue  to  Houghton  street, 
thence  along  Houghton  street  to  Hermit 
street,  thence  along  Hermit  street  to  Wis- 
sahickon  creek,  thence  along  Wissahickon 
creek  to  Schuylkill  river,  thence  aloug 
Schuylkill  river  to  place  of  beginning;  all 
that  portion  of  the  Twenty-second  Ward 
on  and  west  of  Broad  street;  all  of  the 
Twenty-third,  Twenty-fourth,  Twenty-fifth, 
Twenty-sixth  Wards;  all  that  portion  of 
the  Twenty-seventh  Ward  on  or  within  the 
following  lines:  Beginning  at  Schuylkill 
river  and  Market  street,  thence  along  Mar- 
ket street  to  Cobb's  creek,  thence  along 
Cobb's  creek  to  Woodland  avenue,  thence 
along  Woodland  avenue  to  Tinicum  Island 
road,  thence  along  Tinicum  Island  road  to 
Powers'  lane,  thence  along  Powers'  lane  to 
Eastwick  street  to  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio 
R.  R.,  thence  along  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio 
R.  R.  to  Schuylkill  river,  thence  along  the 
Schuylkill  river  to  the  place  of  beginning; 
all  of  the  Twenty-eighth,  Twenty-ninth, 
Thirtieth,  Thirty-first,  Thirty-second,  Thirty- 
third,  Thirty-fourth,  and  that  portion  of 
the  Thirty-fifth  Ward  on  or  within  the 
boundaries  or  lines  between  Dark  Run  lane 
and  Bleigh  street  and  between  Frankford 
avenue  and  the  Delaware  river,  and  on  the 
said  line  of  Frankford  avenue  to  Penny- 
pack  creek,  and  within  that  portion 
bounded  by  the  Pennypack  creek,  the  New 
York  Division  of  the  Pennsylvania  Rail- 
road, Decatur  street  and  Frankford  ave- 
nue, and  all  of  the  Thirty-sixth  and  Thirty- 
seventh  Wards. 

Provided:  That,  on  land  assessed  at  f arm ^^j^^p^ J/ on ^ 
rates,  and  used  for  farm  purposes,  frame  farm  lands. 


80  LAWS    RELATING    TO  BUILDINGS 


building's  for  farm  purposes  only  shall  be 
erected. 

Prohibition  to  Provided:  That  the  prohibition  against 
tidel  of  erection  of  frame  buildings  shall  apply 

streets.  to   both   sides   of   the   streets   named  as 

boundaries. 


Temporary 
frame  build- 
ings for 
church  wor- 
ship in  cer- 
tain wards 
permitted. 


Height  of 
such  frame 
buildings. 


bond  given. 


Provided,  however,  That  in  the  First, 
Twenty-first,  Twenty-second,  Twenty-third, 
Twenty-fifth,  Twenty-sixth,  Twenty-sev- 
enth, TWenty-eighth,  Thirty-third,  Thirty- 
fourth,  Thirty-fifth,  and  Thirty-sixth  Wards 
temporary  frame  buildings  for  church  wor- 
ship may  be  erected,  subject  to  the  follow- 
ing conditions: 

First — No  such  frame  buildings  shall  be 
more  than  one  story  high,  if  built  in  any 
portion  of  the  aforesaid  wards  within  the 
limits  defined  in  Section  1. 
Cannot  be  Second — No  permit  shall  be  granted  for 

conse^i?t  o?^ad^  such  buildings  unless  the  applicant  shall 
loining  prop-  have  the  consent  in  writing  of  at  least  two- 
erty  owners  is  thirds  of  the  adjoining  or  abutting  prop- 
secured  and     erty  owners,  and  the   owners  of  proper- 
ties on  the  opposite  side  of  the  street  to 
the  lot  desired  to  be  built  on  shall,  to  the 
width  of  the  said  lot,  be  deemed  adjoining 
owners. 

Third — No  permit  shall  be  granted  for 
any  such  building  until  the  party  desiring 
the  permit  shall  file  with  the  City  Solicitor 
a  bond  in  the  sum  of  $500,  conditioned  that 
the  said  building  shall  be  used  only  for 
purposes  of  church  worship,  and  that  it 
will  be  removed  when  it  ceases  to  be  used 
for  church  worship,  or  whenever  Councils 
shall  amend  this  ordinance  so  as  to  pro- 
hibit frame  church  buildings  in  the  terri- 
tory within  which  the  building  is  situate, 
or  on  the  passage  of  a  resolution  by  Coun- 
cils requiring  its  removal. 
Enlarging  or      Section  2.    Within  the  limits  defined  in 

removing  Section  1,  it  shall  not  be  lawful  to  enlarge  a 
frame  builu-    „  j  ^ 

ings.  frame  building,   or  to  remove  any  such 


AND   BUILDING   INSPECTORS.  81 


building",  except  on  the  same  lot  or  an  ad- 
joining- lot  belonging"  to  tne  same  owner. 
It  shall  not  be  lawful  to  repair,  reconstruct  injured  frame 
or  remove  any  frame  building  which  lias 
been  injured  more  th  an  fifty  (50')  per  cent,  structed  or 
of  its  orig-inal  value  by  wear  and  tear  or  removed, 
by  the  eifects  of  the  elements,  or  by  fire; 
said  value  to  be  determined  by  the  Bureau 
of  Building*  Inspection. 

Section  3.    Within  the  limits  defined  in  Frame  sheds 
Section  1,  it  shall  be  lawful  to  erect  ^wharves, ^ 
wh  arves  frame  sheds  not  exceeding*  twenty-  o-rain.  coal 
seven    (27)   feet  in  height,  and  elevators  and  lumber 
for  the  storage  of  grain,  or  sheds  of  wood  ^lieds  per- 
for  the  storage  of  coal  or  lumber,  but  all°^    ^  ' 
the  external  parts  of  such  sheds  and  ele- 
vators  (except  sheds  for  the  storage  of 
lumber)  shall  be  covered  with  slate,  tile, 
metal  or  incombustible  material,  and  their 
mode  of  construction  and  location  shall  be 
subject  to  the  approval  of  the  Bureau  of 
Building  Inspection. 

Section  4.    Within  the  limits  defined  in  Bay  or  bulk 
Section  1,  it  shall  not  be  lawful  to  erect  or  ^i^^^ws^  pro- 
construct  upon  the  first  story  of  any  build- first  story 
ing  any  bay^  oriel^  store  or  bulk  window,  over  street 
projecting  beyond  the  street  line. 

Section  5.    Bay  and  oriel  windows  may  Manner  of 
hereafter  be  constructed   upon   buildings  construction 
where  projecting  over  the  street  line,  as  ^J.^^^^^^^^^^g 
follows:    The  walls  of  all  such  bay  or  oriel 
windows,  if  made  of  combustible  material, 
shall  be  covered  with  metal  or  other  in- 
combustible materials.    The  limitation  of 
the  dimensions  and  positions  of  such  bay 
or  oriel  windows  shall  be  as  follows: 

First — No  such  bay  or  oriel  window  shall 
be  at  a  less  distance  than  ten  (10)  feet  from 
the  sidewalk. 

Second. — No  such  bay  or  oriel  window 
shall  project  more  than  three  (3)  feet  over 
the  street  line  of  any  building. 


82  LAWS    KELATING    TO  BUILDINGS 


Third. — No  such  bay  or  oriel  window  shall 
have  a  greater  frontage  than  fifteen  (15) 
feet. 

Fourth. — There  shall  not  be  more  than 
one  bay  or  oriel  window  for  any  twenty- 
five  (25)  feet  of  frontag'e,  and  no  two  bay 
or  oriel  windows  upon  the  same  story  shall 
be  built  nearer  to  each  other  than  five  (5) 
feet. 

Fifth. — It  shall  not  be  lawful  to  erect  any 
bay  or  oriel  window  except  within  lines 
drawn  from  the  intersection  of  the  party 
lines  and  the  street  line  at  an  angle  of 
twenty  (20)  degrees  with  the  latter. 
Bay  and  oriel     Nothing  herein  contained  shall,  however, 
windows  not  limit  the  size  of  bay  or  oriel  windows  which 
over  street  built  in  such  manner  as  not  to  pro- 

line, ject  over  the  street  line  of  the  buildings  of 

which  they  form  a  part,  but  the  size,  num- 
ber, construction  and  structural  parts  of 
such  bay  or  oriel  windows  shall  be  subject 
to  the  approval  of  the  Bureau  of  Building 
Inspection:  Provided,  however^  That  no 
bay  or  oriel  window  shall  project  more 
than  four  (4)  feet  from  the  v^all  line  of  the 
house  of  which  it  is  a  part. 


Limit  of 
height  of 
wooden 
fences. 


JConsti*uction 
of  wooden 
buildings  out- 
side of  pre- 
scribed limits. 
Dwellings. 


Section  6.  It  shall  not  be  lawful  to  build 
any  fence  of  wood  dividing-  or  enclosing 
any  property,  of  a  greater  heig-ht  than  ten 
(10)  feet  from  the  ground,  nor  any  fence 
beyond  the  building  line.  Provided,  how- 
ever, That  railings  may  be  constructed 
around  excavated  areas  now  existing.  This 
section  shall  not  prohibit  the  erection  of 
a  temporary  fence  during  building  opera- 
tions, but  no  such  fence  shall  be  erected 
more  than  five  (5)  feet  from  the  building 
line. 

Section  7.  Outside  the  limits  defined  in 
Section  1,  wooden  buildings  may  be  erected 
subject  to  the  following  restrictions  and 
regulations:  A  wooden  building  to  be  used 
as  a  dwelling  house  shall  not  exceed  a 


AND  BUILDING   INSPECTORS.  83 


height  of  forty-five  (45)  feet,  and  external 
walls  of  said  building-  shall  not  be  placed 
at  a  less  distance  than  eig*hteen  (18)  inches 
from  the  party  line  of  the  lot  upon  which 
the  building*  is  to  be  erected,  unless  a  brick 
external  wall  is  substituted  for  the  wooden 
wall,  and  of  a  thickness  described  by  the 
Act  of  Assembly  approved  June  1893, 
reg-ulating-  the  thickness  of  brick  external 
walls. 

Where    a    wooden    building"    is    already  Space 
erected  for  dwelling-  purposes  upon  an  ad-  ^o^^en°  build- 
joining-  lot,  there  shall  be  between  the  walls  ings  used  as 
of  the  building-  erected  and  the  one  to  be  dwellings, 
erected — if  of  wood — a  clear^  open  space  of 
three  (3)  feet  between  the  said  building's. 

In  the  erection  of  wooden  building's  in  Walls 
blocks  of  two  or  more  houses,  to  be  occu-^®^^^®^ 
pied  for  dwelling-  purposes,  the  said  build- dwellings, 
ing-s  shall  have  intercepting-  brick  walls  not 
less  than  nine  (9)  inches  thick,  said  walls 
to  be  carried  up  and  topped  out  ten  (10) 
inches  above  the  roof  and  covered  with  me- 
tallic covering". 

Wooden  buildings  to  be  used  for  other  Wooden 
purposes  than  that  of  a  dwelling  house  ^j^g^^'^^g^j 
shall  not  exceed  fifty  (50)  feet  in  height  otherwise 
above  the  grade  of  the   street   or  place  ^^an  as  dwel- 
upon  which  the    said  building  is   to  be 
erected,  and  shall  not  be  placed  at  a  less 
distance    than    ten    (10)    feet    from  any 
wooden  building  which  is  twenty-five  (25) 
feet  or  more  in  height,  or  at  a  less  dis- 
tance than  four  (4)  feet  from  any  other 
wooden  building  which  is  less  than  twenty- 
five  (25)  feet  in  height. 

Section  8.  All  wooden  buildings  shall  be  Foundations 
built  upon  secure  foundations  of  stone  or  ^^j^^^^^ 
brick,  carried  up  to  the  surface  of  the 
ground.  The  foundations,  if  of  brick,  shall 
not  be  less  than  thirteen  (13)  inches  thick, 
and  if  of  stone,  shall  not  be  less  than  six- 
teen  (16)  inches  thick.     All  foundations 


84  LAWS    EELATITsG    TO  BUILDINGS 


Strength  of 
wooden  build- 
ings. 


shall  be  laid  upon  solid  ground,  or  upon 
piling,  or  other  solid  substructure.  In  the 
construction  of  workshops  or  other  build- 
ings of  a  like  character,  or  for  temporary 
purposes,  built  upon  soft  or  marshy  land, 
the  inspector  may,  in  his  discretion,  permit 
the  sills  to  be  placed  upon  mudsills  or 
blocking,  or  upon  piles  cut  to  the  height 
of  grade. 

All  wooden  buildings  shall  be  constructed 
to  carry  such  safe  weights  per  superficial 
foot  for  the  several  purposes  for  which  they 
are  constructed  as  is  defined  in  Section 
Twenty-six  (26)  of  the  Act  of  Assembly, 
approved  June  8,  1893. 

Flues,  chim-  Section  9.  In  all  wooden  buildings  here- 
tHminer  ^^^^^  erected  or  altered,  the  framing  around 
flues,  and  the  construction  of  chimneys, 
flues,  hearths,  trimmer  arches,  open  fire- 
places, and  hot-air  flues  and  heating  ap- 
paratus, steam  boilers  and  ranges,  shall  be 
in  accordance  with  the  Act  of  Assembly  ap- 
proved June  8,  1893. 

Section  10.  Open  shelter  sheds  of  wood 
may  be  erected  under  permit,  but  no  such 
shed  shall  be  enclosed  with  combustible 
materials  on  any  of  its  four  sides.  The  lo- 
cation and  construction  of  said  sheds  shall 
be  subject  to  the  inspection  and  approval 
of  the  Bureau  of  Building  Inspection. 

Section  11.  All  constructions,  extensions, 
or  repairs,  under  the  provisions  of  the  said 
Act  of  Assembly,  approved  June  8,  1893, 
or  under  the  provisions  of  this  ordinance, 
shall  be  done  only  after  permit  is  granted 
by  the  Bureau  of  Building  Inspection  and 
in  conformity  with  the  permit;  and  any 
person  or  persons  building,  altering,  or  re- 
pairing without  such  permit  first  secured, 
or  otherwise  than  in  conformity  with  the 
said  permit,  or  the  said  Act,  or  this  ordi- 
nance shall  be  subject  to  the  several  pen- 


arches,  etc., 
in  wooden 
buildings. 


Construction 
of  open  shel- 
ter sheds  of 
wood. 


Permits  re- 
quired for 
all  construc- 
tions, etc. 


Penalty  im- 
posed for  act- 
ing without 
permit. 


AND   BUILDING  INSPECTORS. 


85 


allies  imposed  by  the  said  Act  for  viola- 
tions of  its  provisions. 

Section  12.   All  ordinances  or  parts  of  or-  Repealing 
dinances  inconsistent  herevs^ith  be,  and  the  clause, 
same  are  hereby  repealed. 

AN  ORDINANCE 

Amendatory  to  an  ordinance  entitled  "An 
Ordinance  to  reg-nlate  the  construction 
of  frame  building-s,  fences  and  bay  win- 
dow's. 

Approved  March  28,  1894. 

Section  1.  The  Select  and  Common  Coun- 
cils of  the  City  of  Philadelphia  do  ordain, 
That  the  first  section  of  an  ordinance  en- 
titled "An  Ordinance  to  regulate  the  con- 
struction of  frame  buildings,  fences  and 
bay  windovs'S,"  approved  March  28^  1894,  be 
altered  and  amended  by  striking-  out  the 
words  "all  of  the  Twenty-third  Ward,"  and  flrf  ®^ard. 
inserting  the  following:  "All  that  part  of 
the  Twenty-third  Ward  commencing  at 
Frankford  creek  and  Wingohocking  street; 
thence  along  Wingohocking  street  to  Oak- 
land street;  thence  along  Oakland  street 
to  Lindley  street;  thence  along  Lindley 
street  to  Leiper  street;  thence  along 
Leiper  street  to  Wakeling  street;  thence 
along  Wakeling  street  to  Tackawanna 
street;  thence  along  Tackawanna  street  to 
Margaretta  street;  thence  along  Margaretta 
street  to  Pennsylvania  Railroad;  thence 
along  Pennsylvania  Railroad  to  the  Frank- 
ford  creek;  thence  along  the  Frankford 
creek  to  the  place  of  beginning;  also 
both  sides  of  Frankford  avenue,  between 
Wakeling  street  and  Dark  Run  lane."  Also 
strike  out  the  words,  *'Twenty-fifth  Ward," 
and  insert  the  following:  "All  that  por- 
tion of  the  Twenty-fifth  Ward  bounded  on 
the  east  by  the  Delaware  River,  on  the 
west  by  Kensington  avenue,  on  the  north 
by  Frankford  creek  and  Luzerne  street, 


86  LAWS    RELATING    TO  BUILDINGS 


and  on  the  south  by  Lehigh  avenue;"  also 
strike  out  all  that  portion  relating-  to  the 
Thirty-fifth  Ward  after  the  words,  "bound- 
aries or  lines  between,"  and  insert  the  fol- 
lowing-: "Mag-ee  street  and  Bleigh  street 
and  Frankford  avenue  and  Delaware  River, 
and  along-  the  line  of  Frankford  avenue, 
from  Dark  Bun  lane  to  Pennypack  creek; 
Provided,  however,  That  on  the  1st  day  of 
January,  1911,  the  lines  defined  in  this 
amendment  will  cease,  and  the  lines  de- 
fined in  the  first  section  of  the  ordinance  to 
which  this  is  an  amendment  shall  be  re- 
established." 

Approved  the  twelfth  day  of  March  A. 
D.  1906 

JOHN  WEAVER, 
Mayor  of  Philadelphia. 

THE  ORDINANCE 
Of  June  12,  1894,  provides: 

Section  1.  That  Section  1  of  an  ordi- 
nance entitled  "An  Ordinance  to  regulate 
the  construction  of  frame  buildings,  etc.," 
approved  March  28,  1894,  be,  and  the  same 
is  hereby  amended  by  inserting  after  the 
word  "beginning"  in  the  twenty-third  line 
the  words  "and  all  that  portion  of  the 
21st  Ward  Twenty-first  Ward  lying  between  the  Wis- 
sahickon  creek,  Wissahickon  avenue  and 
School  lane,"  so  that  the  same  will  read, 
"Thence  along  Schuylkill  River  to  place  of 
beginning,  and  all  that  portion  of  the  Twen- 
ty-first Ward  lying  between  the  Wissa- 
hickon creek,  Wissahickon  avenue  and 
School  lane." 

Also  amend  Section  2  by  adding  the  fol- 
lowing words  at  the  end  of  the  section; 
and  in  addition  thereto:  "Any  person  or 
persons  who  shall  make  any  alteration, 
construction  or  removal  without  permit 
therefor  first   issued,   or  in  violation  of 


35th  Ward. 


AND   BUILDING   INSPECTORS.  87 


any  of  the  provisions  of  this  ordinance,  or 
who  shall  have  become  the  owner  thereof 
after  the  same  has  been  done,  and  who 
shall  omit,  neglect  or  refuse  to  remove 
the  same  within  thirty  (30)  days  after  no- 
tice to  that  eifect,  shall  forfeit  and  V^J  ^loil^lj,^'"'^ 
for  each  offence  the  sum  of  seventy-five 
(75)  dollars,  and  a  further  sum  of  twenty- 
five  (25)  dollars  for  every  period  of  one 
month  for  which  the  said  person  or  per- 
sons shall  omit,  neglect  or  refuse  to  remove 
the  same  after  the  expiration  of  the  no- 
tice aforesaid,  and  any  person  or  persons 
who  shall  contract  for  the  erection  or 
construction  of  any  building  or  other  thing 
in  violation  of  any  of  the  provisions  of 
this  ordinance  shall  be  subject  to  a  pen- 
alty of  twenty-five  (25)  dollars.  All  of  the 
aforesaid  penalties  to  be  recovered  as  pen- 
alties of  equal  amount  are  or  shall  be  re- 
coverable for  the  use  of  the  city." 

AN  OEDINANCE. 

Approved  March  27th,  1907. 

Amendatory  to  an  ordinance  entitled  "An 
Ordinance  to  regulate  the  construction 
of  frame  buildings,  fences  and  bay  win- 
dows," approved  March  28,  1894. 

Section  1.  The  Select  and  Common  Coun- 
cils of  the  City  of  Philadelphia  do  ordain. 
That  the  first  section  of  an  ordinance  en- 
titled "An  Ordinance  to  regulate  the  con- 
sruction  of  frame  buildings,  fences  and  bay 
windows,"  approved  March  28,  1894,  be  al- 
tered and  amended  by  striking  out  and  21st  Ward, 
changing  the  words  Port  Royal  avenue, 
wherever  they  appear  in  said  section,  to 
the  words  Paoli  avenue;  Provided,  That 
not  more  than  two  (2)  frame  buildings, 
either  singly  or  in  pairs,  shall  be  erected 
on  a  lot  of  the  frontage  of  one  hundred 
feet. 


88  LAWS    RELATING    TO  BUILDINGS 


AN  ORDINANCE 

To  regulate  and  determine  the  license  fee 
for  permits  in  the  Bureau  of  Building' 
Inspection,  Department  of  Public  Safety, 
as  required  by  Section  41,  of  the  Act  of 
Assembly,  approved  June  8^  1893. 
Approved  March  28,  1894. 

PGrmit  TQ~ 

quired  for  the  Section  1.  The  Select  and  Common  Coun- 
construction  cils  of  the  City  of  Philadelphia  do  ordain, 
or  alteraiion  That  where  any  person  or  persons  shall  be 
of  any  build-  t     .  i.  i-  j       .  •  u. 

ing.  desirous  of  erecting,  constructing-  or  alter- 

License  fees  ^^8*  house  or  building,  such  person  or 
for  such  per-  persons  shall  make  application  at  the  office 
of  the  Bureau  of  Building  Inspection  for  a 
^^^^does  ^^^o^  P^^^^*  ^^^^  purpose,  and  shall  pay  for 
exceed^^30  ^it.  such  permit  the  various  sums  as  follows: 
in  height,  18  For  the  inspection  of  each  or  any  build- 
and' with^^i^'  i^g*  exceeding  thirty  (30)  feet  in  height 
superficial  and  eighteen  (18)  feet  in  width^  and  not  ex- 
area  not  ex-  ceeding  a  superficial  area  of  sixteen  hun- 
squar'l^feet^^  dred  (1600)  square  feet,  the  fee  shall  be 
Where  build-  ^^^^^  (3)  dollars. 

ing  is  over  For  the  inspection  of  each  or  any  build- 
not  over^^^^'  over  eighten  (18)  feet  in  width  not  ex- 
30  ft.  ceeding  thirty  (30)  feet  in  height,  and  not 

high  and  not  exceeding  in  superficial  area  two  thou- 
siTtrficili ^^^^  (2000)  square  feet,  the  fee  shall  be 
area  2000  sq.  fi^®  (5)  dollars,  and  the  further  sum  of  one 
feet.  (1)  dollar  in  addition  for  each  story  above 

Extra  fe^s  for  thirty  feet  in  height,  and  a  like  sum  of  one 
^tlfnis^'or  dollar  for  each  additional  one  thou- 

greater  area    sand  (1000)  square  feet  of  ground  covered 
of  building.     by  such  house  or  building, 
r  e^tion  ^of  inspection  of  heating  apparatus 

heating^  ap-  flues  in  all  buildings  in  which  the  same 

naratus  and  has  not  been  heretofore  introduced  the  fee 
flues.  shall  be  one  (1)  dollar. 

pIFrs'^or  inspection  of  buildings  for  which 

alterations      application  is  made  for  repair  or  altera- 
made*^  ^®       tion,  the  fee  shall  be  two  (2)  dollars. 
Fee  when  ap-  inspection  of  buildings  where  ap- 

plication Is    plication  is  made  to  tear  down  and  no  ap- 


AND   BUILDING   INSPECTORS.  S9 


plication  is  made  for  a  permit  to  erect  a  made  to  tear 
new  building"  upon  the  same  ground,  the  ^^^^  ^^^y- 
fee  shall  be  two  (2)  dollars. 

For  the  inspection  of  any   building  or  Fee  for  in- 
buildings  already  erected,  upon  complaint  building  upon 
in  due  form  as  to  being*  dang-erous,  said  complaint  as 
building-  or  buildings  not  exceeding*  four  to  being 
(4)    stories   in   heig-ht,   the   fee   for  each 
building"    shall   be   ten    (10)    dollars,  and 
for    each   additional    story    an  additional 
sum  of  one  (1)  dollar.    The  fee  shall  be  Fee  not  to  be 
deposited  with  the  Chief  of  the  Bureau,  [|gg^^com-'''^' 
but  shall  not  be  retained  after  the  inspec-  plaint  was 
tion  and  examination  is  made  unless  the  in-  groundless  or 
spector  making*  the  examination  shall  cer-  icious. 
tify  to  the  Chief  that  in  his  judgment  the 
complaint  was  groundless  or  malicious. 

For  fence  views  the  fee  shall  be  three  Fee  for  fence 
(3)  dollars,  fixed  by  Act  of  Assembly,  ap-^^®^^- 
proved  May  6,  1870. 

For  the  inspection  of  frame  shed  and  Section  of 
overhanging  bath  to   dwelling  houses  al-  frame  sheds 
ready  erected  the  fee  for  each  shall  be  one  overhang- 
/-I  \  ^  n  ing  bath 

(1)  dollar.  j.o°ins. 

For  the  inspection  of  a  bay  or  oriel  win- Fee  for  in- 
dow  the  fee  shall  be  two  (2)  dollars.  spection  of 

^  ^  bay  or  oriel 

For  the  inspection  of  open  shelter  sheds,  windows, 
when  not  exceeding  a  superficial  area  of  Fee  for  in- 
five  hundred   (500)  feet,  the  fee  shall  ^^e^*^ggelt-r 
one    (1)   dollar;    for   each   additional   five  sheds.^  ^ 
hundred  (500)  feet  or  part  thereof  the  fee 
shall  be  fifty  (50)  cents.    For  the  inspec- ^ee  for  in- 

snection  of 

tion  of  boiler  and  engine  foundations  in  ijojier  and 
buildings  in  which  the  same  has  not  been  engine  foun- 
heretofore   introduced,    and   in    any  new^^tions. 
building  in  which  the  application  for  the 
permit  for  the  erection  of  the  said  build- 
ing does  not  include  the  introduction  of  a 
boiler  or  engine,  the  fee  for  the  same  shall 
be  two  (2)  dollars. 

Section  2.    All  ordinances  or  parts  of  or- ^^^e^.^|^^|^* 
dinances  inconsistent  herewith  be  and  the  repealed, 
same  are  hereby  repealed. 


90  LAWS   RELATING   TO  BUILDINGS 


No  steam 
engine  to  be 
erected  with- 
out approval 
of  Inspector. 
Penalty  for 
violation  of 
this  provis- 
ion. 

If  built  in 
dangerous 
manner  steam 
engine  may 
be  altered  or 
removed  by 
order  of 
court. 


Steam  Engines. 

THE  ACT  OF  ASSEMBLY 

Of  May  7,  1855,  provides  that: 

No  steam  engine  shall  be  erected  without 
the  inspection  and  approval  of  an  Inspector 
as  aforesaid,  for  the  security  and  safety 
of  the  inhabitants,  under  the  penalties 
hereinbefore  prescribed  in  respect  to  build- 
ings constructed  contrary  to  this  act,  and 
if  built  in  connection  with  any  wooden  or 
brick  paned  building,  or  in  other  danger- 
ous manner  contrary  to  the  permit  or  direc- 
tion of  such  inspector,  the  same  shall  be 
altered  or  removed,  according  to  the  de- 
cree of  said  Court. 


AN  ORDINANCE 


Relating  to  nuisances,  approved  Septem- 
ber 23,  1864. 

Size  of  cellar  Section  11.  To  place  or  maintain  any 
door,  porches,  cellar  door,  porch,  or  steps,  which  shall  ex- 
tend more  than  four  feet  six  inches  into 
Sept.  23,  any  footway  of  any  street  of  fifty  feet  wide 
or  upwards,  or  a  proportionate  distance 
into  any  footway  in  any  street  of  less  width 
than  fifty  feet. 

Section  12.  To  set  up  or  maintain  any 
fence  beyond  the  building  line,  or  any  rail- 
ing, except  around  excavated  areas  now 
existing,  so  as  to  reduce  the  footways  of 
streets  of  one  hundred  feet  and  over  in 
width,  to  a  width  of  less  than  sixteen  feet; 
of  eighty  feet  streets  to  a  width  of  less 
than  fourteen  feet;  of  streets  of  sixty  feet 
in  width  to  less  than  twelve  feet;  of  streets 
of  fifty  feet  in  width  to  a  width  of  less 
than  ten  feet  and  of  all  streets  of  a  less 
width  than  fifty  feet  to  a  width  less  than 
eight  feet. 


1864. 


Size  of  fences, 
railing,  etc. 


AND   BUILDING   INSPECTORS.  91 


AN  OKDINANCE 

To  prohibit  the  erection  of  porches  be- 
yond the  building  line  of  the  streets  or 
highways  of  the  City,  declaring  such 
porches  to  be  a  nuisance,  providing  a 
penalty  for  the  erection  thereof,  and  pro- 
viding for  the  collection  of  the  cost  of 
removal. 

Section  1.   The  Select  and  Common  Coun- 
cils of  the  City  of  Philadelphia  do  ordain, 
That  from  and  after  the  passage  of  this  p^^.^j^^^  ^^^^^^^ 
ordinance,  it  shall  be  unlavs^ful  to  erect  not  project 
any  porch  projecting  beyond  the  building  beyond  builtl- 
line  upon  any   of  the  public   streets  or 
highways  of  the  City,  and  any  porch  so 
erected  after  this  date,  is  hereby  declared 
a  nuisance. 

Section  2.  Any  person  who  shall  con- 
struct or  begin  the  construction  of  any 
porch  in  violation  of  this  ordinance  shall  ppj.ajx_ 
forfeit  and  pay  to  the  City  of  Philadelphia 
the  sum  of  fifty  (50)  dollars  for  each 
oifence,  and  shall  be  required  to  remove 
said  porch  and  replace  the  street  in  its 
proper  condition. 

Section  3.  If  the  said  person  or  persons 
shall  neglect  or  refuse  to  remove  such 
porch  and  replace  the  street  in  proper  con- 
dition, as  set  forth,  within  ten  days  from 
the  date  of  notice  from  the  Department  of 
Public  Works^  then  and  in  that  case  the 
said  Department  is  hereby  authorized  and 
directed  to  have  the  said  work  done  and  Department 
the  bill  for  same  presented  for  payment  to  ^^^^^  remove, 
the  owner  or  owners  in  front  of  whose 
properties  said  porch  is  constructed  or  at- 
tempted to  be  constructed,  and  in  the 
event  of  said  owner  or  owners  refusing 
to  pay  said  bill  within  ten  days  from  the 
date  thereof,  the  contractor  who  did  the 
work  shall  be  paid  out  of  the  item  for 


92  LAWS    RELATING   TO  BUILDINGS 


emerg-encies  in  the  annual  appropriation  to 
the  Bureau  of  Highways,  and  the  bill  shall 
be  transmitted  to  the  City  Solicitor  to  col- 
lect by  lien  from  the  owner  or  owners 
ag-ainst  whom  the  work  has  been  charg-ed. 
The  penalty  herein  mentioned  shall  be  sued 
for  and  recovered  in  the  manner  as  pen- 
alties for  violation  are  by  law  sued  for  and 
recovered. 

Section  4.  So  much  of  Section  11  of  or- 
dinance of  September  23,  1864.  as  permits 
the  erection  of  porches,  and  all  ordinances 
or  parts  of  ordinances  inconsistent  here- 
with be,  and  the  same  are  hereby  repealed. 

Approved  the  twenty-third  day  of  Feb- 
ruary, A.  D.  1906. 

JOHN  WEAVEH, 
Mayor  of  Philadelphia. 


THE  ORDINANCE 


Privy  wells, 
vaults  or 
sinks,  not  to 
be  within  two 
feet  of  adjoin- 
ing   lot.  Such 
privy  wells, 
etc.,  to  be 
filled  up  at 
expense  of 
owner. 


Manure  pits 
under  the 
sidewalks. 


Of   September  23,   1864,   provides   that  it 
shall  be  a  nuisance: 

To  construct  or  maintain  any  privy,  well, 
vault,  or  sink,  for  the  purpose  of  contain- 
ing- any  offensive  matter,  within  two  feet 
of  the  line  of  any  adjoining-  lot.  And  in 
addition  to  the  penalty  hereinafter  pro- 
vided, five  (5)  dollars,  the  said  privy,  well, 
vault  or  sink,  shall  be  filled  up  at  the  ex- 
pense of  owner  or  owners  thereof,  by  the 
Building-  Inspectors  of  the  City  of  Phila- 
delphia. 

AN  OEX)INANCE  . 

Of  January  10^  1895 

To  prohibit  the  erection  and  maintenance 
of  manure  pits  in  certain  built  up  por- 
tions of  the  city,  provides: 

That  on  and  after  May  1,  1895,  it  shall  be 
unlawful  to  maintain  pits  used  for  the  stor- 


AND   BUILDING   INSPECTORS.  93 


age  of  manure  (whether  temporarily  or 
otherwise)  under  any  portion  of  the  side- 
walks in  front  of  any  building*  in  any 
square,  or  part  of  a  square  whether  for 
livery  or  other  purposes,  of  any  street 
within  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  which  is 
in  whole  or  part  occupied  by  dwelling- 
houses,  and  all  pits  now  in  existence  shall 
either  be  filled  up  or  covered  in  such  man- 
ner that  they  cannot  be  any  longer  used 
for  the  purposes  heretofore  mentioned. 
Penalty,  fifty  dollars. 


ACT  OF  ASSEMBLY 
May  7,  1855, 

Relating-  to  walls  encroaching-  over  party  Encroach- 

lines,  provides:  o^^^t  over 

^  party  lines. 

Section  8.  That  any  lot  of  the  width  of 
sixteen  feet  or  less  shall  not  be  incumbered 
with  more  than  nine  inches  of  the  stone 
wall,  or  more  than  four  and  a  half  inches 
of  the  brick  wall,  nor  in  any  case  shall  any 
party  wall  be  placed  on  the  adjoining-  lot 
more  than  ten  inches  for  the  stone  wall, 
or  more  than  six  and  a  half  inches  for  the 
brick  wall. 


ORDINANCES 

Relative  to  occupying-  the  streets  of  the 
City  of  Philadelphia  with  building-  mate- 
rial, etc.  The  Ordinance  of  June  2,  1887, 
provides: 

That  when  any  person  or  persons  shall  Perrnit 
be  about  to  erect  or  repair  any  house  or  ^i^cin^^  Juild 
building-  within  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  Fng^^nmteHal 
and  shall  be  desirous  to  occupy  a  part  of  on  public 
the    public    street    or    road    for    placing- street  or  road, 
building-  materials  thereon,  he  or  they  shall 
make  application  to  the  License  Clerk  at 


94  LAWS    RELATING    TO  BUILDINGS 


Form  of  ap- 
plication for 
such  permit. 


Space  to  be 
occupied  not 
to  exceed 
certain 
dimensions. 


Passage  or 
Cartway  to  be 
left  in  street 
where  build- 
ing materials 
Fhall  not  be 
placed. 


Wooden  plat- 
form to  be 
erected  in 
front  of 
buildings 
about  to  be 
erected  or  re- 
paired. 


Penalty  for 
violation. 


the  Bureau  of  Hig-liways  (stating  the  num- 
ber and  extent  of  such  building  or  build- 
ings for  the  accommodation  of  which  he 
may  desire  so  to  occupy  said  street  or  road, 
and  thereupon  the  License  Clerk  shall  issue 
a  written  or  printed  permit  to  occupy  such 
part  of  any  public  street  or  road  in  the 
neighborhood  for  the  purpose  aforesaid, 
not  exceeding  in  extent  the  dimensions  of 
the  front  on  the  premises  about  to  be  built 
upon  or  repaired  and  eighty  (80)  feet  in 
addition  thereto,  and  not  exceeding  nine 
(9)  feet  in  breadth,  thirteen  (13)  feet  in 
height  and  one  (1)  foot  over  curbstone, 
with  a  gutter  left  along  the  curb  fifteen 
(15)  inches  high,  with  cleanout  holes 
12x18  every  tw^enty-five  (25)  feet  in  length, 
for  any  time  not  exceeding  four  (4)  months 
as  shall  be  deemed  necessary  and  reason- 
able: Provided,  That  a  sufficient  passage 
or  cartway  shall  at  all  times  be  left  un- 
encumbered between  said  building  mate- 
rials and  the  opposite  curbstone  for  the 
passage  of  vehicles:  And  provided  further, 
That  no  building  materials  be  placed 
within  four  (4)  feet  of  any  fire  plug  or  flag- 
stone crossing,  or  within  two  and  a  half 
(2V2)  feet  of  any  railroad  track. 

The  Ordinance  of  May  3,  1855,  provides: 
That  during  the  erection  or  repair  of  any 
building  in  the  City  of  Philadelphia  it  shall 
be  the  duty  of  the  owner  thereof,  or  of  the 
person  having  charge  of  the  erection  or 
repair  of  such  building  to  cause  to  be 
placed  a  wooden  platform,  which  shall  ex- 
tend along  the  whole  front  of  such  build- 
ing about  to  be  erected  or  repaired,  and 
which  shall  project  two  and  a  half  (21^) 
feet  from  the  wall  thereof  to  the  curb- 
stone or  line  of  the  foot  pavement,  and  be 
of  sufficient  strength  to  intercept  the  fall- 
ing of  bricks,  lumber,  or  other  building 
materials.    Penalty,  fifty  dollars. 


AND   BUILDING   INSPECTORS.  95 


THE  ORDINANCE 

Of  June  7,  1872,  provides  : 

That   all   contractors,   owners   or   occn- Lantern  to  be 
pants  of  bnilding's,  or  others  placing  ^^il^"  kI^iI^J^^ 
ing  materials  of  any  kind  or  any  other  materials  or 
obstructions  or  excavations  upon  or  across  alterations 
the  cartway'   of  any  public  thoroughfares  ^jo^^^^^^l®* 
in  this  city^  shall  place  and  keep  thereon 
from  sunset  to  sunrise  a  lighted  lantern 
of  red  glass;  and  v^henever  such  obstruc- 
tions or  excavations  exceed  ten  (10)  feet 
in  length   or  breadth,   one   such  lantern 
shall  be  placed  upon  each  end  thereof .  pg^^j^y 
Penalty,  five  dollars.  violation. 


THE  ORDINANCE 

Of  April  6,  1892, 

Declares  it  to  be  a  nuisance  and  under  pen- 
alty of  tw^enty  dollars, 

To  place  any  mortar,  mortar  beds,   or  Mortar,  mor- 
lime  boxes  upon  any  of  the  public  ji^J^^o^x 
ways  of  the  City  which  are  paved  with  as-  j^ot  to  be 
phaltum  or  concrete;   Provided,  however, placed  upon 
that  mortar  may  be  mixed  in  boxes,  "^^^  ^aved^^^^ith 
bottoms  of  which  must  be  of  tight  tongued  asphaltum 
and  grooved  boards^  placed  upon  four  (4)  or  concrete, 
inch  bearers  or  sleepers,  leaving  an  air  except  under 
space  and  protected  on  all  sides  by  a  mar- ^fjj^l^^  I 
gin  of  two  (2)  inch  boards,  not  less  than 
six   (6)  inches  high  above  the  floor  sur- 
face. 

THE  ACT 
Of  May  11,  1893,  provides: 

That  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  party  or 
parties  having  charge  of  the  construction 
of  any  new  building  hereafter  erected  in 
4 


96  LAWS    RELATING    TO  BUILDINGS 


During  the 
construction 
of  new  build- 
ings the  joists 
or  girders 
above  third 
floor  shall  be 
covered  to 
protect  work- 
men, etc. 


Penalty  for 
violation  of 
this  Act. 


this  Commonwealth^  to  have  the  joists  or 
girders  of  each  floor  above  the  third  story 
covered  ^vith  rough  scaffold  boards,  or 
otliei-  suitable  material,  as  the  building" 
progresses,  so  as  to  sufficiently  protect  the 
workmen  either  from  falling  through  such 
joists  or  girders,  or  to  protect  the  work- 
men or  others  who  may  be  under  or  be- 
low each  floor  from  falling  bricks,  tools, 
mortar,  or  other  substances  whereby  ac- 
cidents happen,  injuries  occur,  and  life  and 
limb  are  endangered.  For  every  violation 
of  this  act  a  penalty  not  exceeding  one 
hundred  (100)  dollars  for  each'  floor  of 
joists  or  girders  left  uncovered  is  imposed. 


AN  ORDINANCE 


Width  of 

Walnut 

Street. 


New  build- 
ings. 

Alterations. 


Of  June  30,  1892, 

To  provide   for  the  widening   of  Walnut 
street   from   Fifth   to  Twenty-second. 

Provides,  That  the  Bureau  of  Surveys  be 
authorized  to  revise  the  city  plan,  so  as  to 
make  the  width  of  Walnut  street  from 
Fifth  street  to  Twenty-second  street  such 
as  shall  conform  Avith  the  buildings  there- 
on erected,  as  the  same  may  be  practicable; 
such  width  to  be  uniform  in  each  block. 
After  the  confirmation  and  establishment 
of  said  lines  it  shall  not  be  lawful  for  any 
owner  or  builder  to  erect  any  new  build- 
ing, or  to  rebuild  or  alter  the  front  or 
add  to  the  height  of  any  building  now 
erected,  without  making  it  recede  so  as  to 
conform  to  the  line  established. 

x\mended  by  Ordinance  of  December  30, 
1892,  by  striking  out  the  word  *'Fifth"  and 
inserting  the  word  "Sixth." 


AND   BUILDING  INSPECTORS. 


97 


AN  ORDINANCE 


To  provide  for  the  widening-  of  Chestnut 
street  on  the  city  plan. 

Section  1.  The  Select  and  Common  Conn- Widening 
cils  of  the  City  of  Philadelphia  do  ordain,  ^^Jfg^Jf 
That  the  Department  of  Surveys  be,  and 
is,  hereby  authorized  to  revise  the  city 
plan  so  as  to  make  Chestnut  street,  from 
the  Delav^are  River  to  the  Schuylkill  River, 
of  the  width  of  sixty  (60)  feet^  widening* 
equally  on  both  sides  from  the  old  centre 
line. 

Section  2.  After  the  confirmation  and  New  build- 
establishment  of  said  lines  it  shall  not  be  ings. 
lawful  for  any  owner  or  builder  to  erect 
any  new  building*,  or  to  rebuild  or  alter 
the  front  of  any  building  now  erected, 
without  making-  it  recede  so  as  to  conform 
to  the  lines  established  for  a  width  of 
sixty  (60)  feet. 

Approved  the  thirty-first  day  of  March,  March  31, 
A.  D.  1884.  1884. 


AN  ORDINANCE 


Amending-  an  ordinance  entitled  "An  Ordi- 
nance relative  to  the  widening-  of  Arch 
street,"  approved  the  twelfth  day  of 
February,  1886. 

Section  1.  The  Select  and  Common  Coun- 
cils of  the  City  of  Philadelphia  do  ordain. 
That  the  ordinance  entitled  "An  Ordinance 
relative  to  the  widening*  of  Arch  street," 
approved  the  12th  day  of  February,  1886  be 
altered  and  amended  by  adding-  the  words- 
"And  provided  further,  That  nothing*  here- 
in contained  shall  be  held  or  construed  to 
prevent  any  owner  of  property  now  ex- 
isting- on  Arch  street,  from  taking  out  the 


98  LAWS    RELATING    TO  BUILDINGS 


Width  of 
Arch  Street. 


Alterations, 
new  build- 
ings. 


Bulk  win- 
dows. 


Amendment 
approved 

June  29, 
1899. 


brick  work  of  front  wall  between  the  two 
windows  on  first  floor,  carrying  the  weight 
on  an  iron  beam  and  putting-  in  a  bulk 
window,  the  said  bulk  window  not  to  i)ro- 
ject  beyond  the  building-  line,"  so  that  the 
same  shall,  as  amended,  read;  "That  the 
Department  of  Surveys  be,  and  is  hereby 
directed  to  widen  Arch  street,  on  the  north 
and  south  lines  thereof,  from  Eighth  street 
to  the  river  Schujdkill^  on  the  city  plan,  so 
that  hereafter  the  width  of  Arch  street 
shall  be  seventy-two  (72)  feet  from  the 
building  line  to  building  line,  or  thirty- 
six  (36)  feet  from  the  now  established  cen- 
tre line  of  said  Arch  street:  Provided, 
That  this  ordinance  shall  not  exteni  to 
any  buildings  now  erected  on  said  Arch 
street,  and  shall  extend  to  all  buildings 
that  may  hereafter  be  erected  or  altered 
fronting  on  said  street,  and  that  the  De- 
partment of  Surveys  shall  prepare  a  plan 
of  said  street  showing  all  buildings  that 
will  be  alfected  by  said  widening:  And 
provided  further,  That  nothing  herein  con- 
tained shall  be  held  or  construed  to  pre- 
vent any  owner  of  property  now  existing 
on  Arch  street,  from  taking  out  the  brick 
work  of  the  front  wall  between  the  two 
windows  on  first  floor,  carrying  the  weight 
thereof  on  an  iron  beam,  and  putting  in  a 
bulk  window,  the  said  bulk  window  not  to 
project  beyond  the  building  line." 


AN  ORDINANCE 

To  regulate  the  placing  of  streets  upon 
the  city  plan  and  the  issuing  of  building 
and  other  permits  by  the  Departments 
and  Bureaus  of  the  city. 

Section  1.  The  Select  and  Common  Coun- 
Width  of  cils  of  the  City  of  Philadelphia  do  ordain, 
streets.  That  from  and  after  the  passage  of  this 

ordinance  no  street  hereafter  to  be  opened 


AND  BUILDING  INSPECTOKS. 


09 


shall  be  accepted  or  placed  upon  the  plans 
of  the  city  that  is  of  a  less  width  than 
thirty  (30)  feet,  and  in  no  case  shall  a 
street  be  so  placed  unless  it  shall  run 
from  one  public  street  to  another,  and  in 
a  straight  line.  Provided,  That  this  ordi- 
nance shall  not  be  construed  to  repeal  the 
existing  ordinance  fixing  the  widths  of 
streets  in  the  Twenty-second  Ward  at  not  22d  Ward, 
less  than  forty  (40)  feet. 

Section  2.  It  shall  be  unlawful  for  the  Permits  issu- 
Board  of  Building  Inspectors,  Department  regulated 
of  Public  Works,  or  any  Bureau  under  it  cases, 
or  any  official  of  the  city,  either  to  issue, 
•ause  or  allow  to  be  issued,  any  permit 
or  permits  for  the  erection  of  any  building- 
or  buildings  or  for  the  introauction  of  gas, 
water,  sewer  or  drains,  or  to  make  sur- 
veys or  give  lines,  or  in  any  manner  to 
countenance,  authorize  or  permit  the  erec- 
tion of  any  building  or  buildings  fronting 
on  any  street  unless  said  street  shall  be 
of  not  less  than  thirty  (30)  feet  in  width 
as  provided  in  Section  1  of  this  ordinance 
or  on  the  city  plan,  and  all  of  said  streets 
shall  be  continuous  and  run  in  a  straight 
line  from  one  public  street  to  another. 

Approved  this  eighth  day  of  April,  A.  D.  April  8th, 
1890. 

Amended  by  Ordinance  of  June  9,  1890, 
providing  that  the  placing  of  streets  upon 
the  city  plan  and  the  issuing  of  permits 
shall  not  apply  to  any  street  that  was  on 
i^-Q  city  plan  or  was  actually  or  legally 
opened  at  the  time  said  ordinance  was 
passed.  Further  amended  by  Ordinance  of 
July  2,  1890,  so  that  the  requirements  of 
streets  running  in  a  straight  line  shall 
not  apply  to  or  be  operative  within  the 
bounds  of  the  Twenty-first  and  Twenty- 
second  Wards. 


100         LAWS    EELATING    TO  BUILDINGS 


AN  ORDINANCE 


To  amend  an  ordinance,  entitled  "An  Ordi- 
nance reg'nlating-  the  placing  of  streets 
upon  the  City  plan  and  the  issuing-  of 
building-  and  other  permits  by  the  De- 
partments and  Bureaus  of  the  City,"  ap- 
proved the  eig-hth  day  of  April,  1890. 

Section  1.  The  Select  and  Common  Coun- 
cils of  the  City  of  Philadelphia  do  ordain, 
That  the  Ordinance  of  Councils,  approved 
the  eig^hth  day  of  April,  1890.  entitled  "An 
Ordinance  regulating"  the  placing  of  streets 
upon  the  City  plan  and  the  issuing  of 
Minimum  building  and  other  permits  by  the  Depart- 
width  of  ments  and  Bureaus  of  the  City,"  be  and 
streets  40  ft.  ^j-^g  same  is  hereby  amended  by  striking 
out  the  words  and  figures  "thirty  (80)  feet" 
whereve-r  they  appear  and  inserting  in 
lieu  thereof,  the  words  and  figures  "forty 
(40)  feet:"  Provided,  That  this  ordinance 
shall  not  aj^ply  to  any  street  now  on  the 
City  plan  or  that  is  actually  or  legally 
opened  or  built  upon. 

Approved  the  second  day  of  April^  A.  D. 
1906. 

JOHN  WEAVER, 
Mayor  of  Philadelphia. 


AN  ORDINANCE 


To  provide  for  the  enclosing  of  vacant  lots 
and  lots  upon  which  building  operations 
are  in  progress  or  upon  which  excava- 
tions have  been  made. 

Section  1.  The  Select  and  Common  Coun- 
cils of  the  City  of  Philadelphia  do  ordain: 

That  from  and  after  the  passage  of  thi* 
ordinance  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  own 
er  or  owners  of  unimproved  real  estate 


AND   BUILDING  INSPECTORS. 


101 


within  the  City  of  Philadelphia  to  enclose 
Ihe  same  with  a  suitable  fence  upon  that 
part  facing'  on  a  public  highway  where  the 
same  is  dangerous. 

Section  2.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the 
owner  or  owners  of  any  lot  upon  which 
a  building  is  being  erected  or  upon  which 
an  excavation  for  any  purpose  shall  have  exr-jivations. 
been  made,  where  the  said  lot  borders  on 
a  public  highway,  to  enclose  the  same  with 
a  suitable  fence. 

Section  3.  Fences  erected  under  the  pro- 
visions of  Sections  1  and  2  of  this  ordi- 
nance shall  be  erected  under  the  super- 
vision of  the  Bureau  of  Building  Inspec- 
tion, and  subject  to  such  regulations  as  to 
material  and  dimensions  as  shall  be  pre- 
scribed by  that  Bureau. 

Section  4.  Any  person  violating  any  of 
the  provisions  of  this  ordinance  shall  be 
subject  to  a  penalty  of  fifty  (50)  dollars 
for  each  w^eek  during  which  such  violation 
continues,  to  be  recovered  as  debts  of  like 
amount  are  now  by  law  recoverable:  Pro- 
vided,  That  such  penalty  shall  not  be  im- 
posed upon  any  person  until  he  shall  have 
failed  to  comply  with  the  provisions  of 
this  ordinance  after  ten  days'  notice  so  to 
do  from  the  Department  of  Public  Safety. 

Approved  November  9,  1897. 


Eegulations  adopted  by  the  Bureau  of 
Building  Inspection  governing  the  erec- 
tion of  fences  around  vacant  lots  where 
same  are  dangerous,  or  around  lots  upon 
which  excavations  are  being  made  or 
buildings  are  being  erected. 

"Any  lot  which  has  been  excavated  or 
upon  which  excavations  are  being  made, 
or  any  lot  from  which  a  building  has  been 


K)2         LAWS    RELATING    TO  BUILDINGS 

remoA^ed  and  there  is  left  a  cellar  or  ex- 
cavation of  any  kind  below  the  sidewalk 
Hci-ht  of       g^rade,  in  all  closely  built  sections  of  the 
fence.  city  shall  be  enclosed  with  a  tight  board 

fence  at  least  five  feet  high. 

"In  suburban  sections  of  the  city  lots 
facing  the  public  highway  shall  have  at 
least  a  post  and  rail  fence  extending  three 
feet  above  the  sidew^alk,  where  the  said 
lot  is  in  such  condition  that  pedestrians 
might  suffer  injury  through  the  absence  of 
some  such  safeguard." 


ACT  OF  ASSEMBLY 
Relating  to  Fire  Escapes. 
Approved  July  12^  1897. 

Section  1.  Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate 
and  House  of  Representatives  of  the  Com- 
monwealth of  Pennsylvania  in  General  As- 
sembly met,  and  it  is  hereby  enacted  by 
the  authority  of  the  same:  That  all  the 
following  described  buildings  within  this 
Commonwealth,  to  wit:  Every  building 
used  as  a  seminary,  college,  academy,  hos- 
pital, asylum,  or  hotel,  for  the  accommoda- 
tion of  the  public,  every  storehouse,  fac- 
tory, manufactory  or  workshop  of  any 
kind,  in  which  employes  or  operatives  are 
usually  employed  at  work  in  the  third  or 
any  higher  story,  every  tenement  house, 
or  other  building  in  which  rooms  or  floors 
live  usually  let  to  lodgers  or  families,  every 
iniblic  hall  or  place  of  amusement,  every 
parochial  or  public  school  building  and 
every  building  used  in  whole  or  in  part  for 
offices  when  any  of  such  buildings  are 
three  or  more  stories  in  height,  except 
buildings  used  in  whole  or  in  part  for 
offices  which  are  of  lire-proof  construction, 
shall  be  provided  with  a  permanent,  safe, 


Bnildings'  re- 
quiring fire- 
escapes. 


AND   BUILDING   INSrECTOKS.  lOJ 

external  means  of  escape  therefrom,  in  case 
of  fire,  independent  of  all  internal  stair- 
ways; the  number  and  location  of  such  es- 
capes to  be  g-overned  by  the  size  of  the 
building,  and  the  number  of  its  inmates; 
and  arranged  in  such  a  way  as  to  make 
them  readily  accessible^  safe  and  adequate, 
for  the  escape  of  said  inmates.  Such  es- 
capes to  consist  of  outside,  open^  iron  stair- 
way, of  not  more  than  forty-five  degrees 
slant,  with  steps  not  less  than  six  inches  in 
width  and  twenty-four  inches  in  length. 
And  all  of  said  buildings  capable  of  ac- 
commodating from  one  hundred  to  five 
hundred  or  more  persons,  as  operatives, 
guests,  or  inmates,  shall  be  provided  with 
two  such  stairways,  and  more  than  two 
stairways  if  such  be  necessary  to  secure 
the  speedy  and  safe  escape  of  said  in- 
mates, in  case  the  internal  stairways  are 
cut  off  by  fire  or  smoke.  And  it  shall  be 
the  duty  of  the  owner  or  owners  in  fee, 
foi*  life,  of  every  such  building  and  of  iL* 
trustee  or  trustees  of  every  estate,  asso- 
ciation, society,  college,  seminary,  acad- 
emy, hospital,  or  asylum,  owning  or  using 
any  such  building,  and  of  the  Board  of  Edu- 
cation or  Board  of  School  Directors^  hav- 
ing cliaige  of  any  such  school  building,  ^o 
provide,  and  cause  to  be  securely  affixed, 
ontsido  of  every  such  building,  such  per- 
manent, external,  unenclosed  fire  escape: 
Provided,  That  nothing  herein  contained 
shall  prohibit  any  person  whose  duty  it  is 
under  this  act  to  erect  fire  escapes,  from 
selecting  and  erecting  any  other  and  dif- 
ferent device,  desig^n,  or  instrument,  being 
a  j)ermanent,  safe,  external  means  of  es- 
cape, subject  to  the  inspection  and  ap- 
proval of  the  constituted  authorities  for 
that  purpose. 

Section  2.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the 
Board  of  Fire  Commissioners,  in  conjunc- 
tion with  the  Fire  Marshal  of  the  district 


104         LAWS    RELATING    TO  BUILDINGS 


where  such  Commissioners  and  Fire  Mar- 
shal are  elected  or  appointed,  to  first  exam- 
ine and  test  such  fire  escape  or  escapes 
and  after,  upon  trial,  said  fire  escape  or 
escapes  should  prove  to  be  in  accordance 
with  the  requirements  of  Section  1  of  this 
act,  then  the  said  Fire  Marshal,  in  con- 
nection with  the  Fire  Commissioners,  or  a 
majority  of  them,  shall  g-rant  a  certificate 
approving-  said  fire  escape  thereby  reliev- 
ing- the  part3^  or  parties  to  whom  such  cer- 
tificate is  issued  from  the  liabilities  of 
fines,  damag*es  and  imprisonment  imposed 
by  this  act:  Provided,  further,  That  in 
counties  where  no  such  Fire  Marshal  or 
Fire  Commissioners  exist,  then  the  County 
Commissioners  in  each  said  county  shall 
be  the  Board  of  Examiners,  and  shall  g-rant 
certificates  of  approval  when  escapes  are 
erected  in  accordance  witn  the  require- 
ments of  Section  l  of  this  act. 

Section  3.  That  every  person,  corpora- 
tion, trustee,  Board  of  Education,  and 
Board  of  School  Directors,  neglecting-  or 
refusing  to  comply  with  the  requirements 
of  Section  1  of  this  act,  in  erecting  said 
fire  escape  or  escapes,  shall  be  liable  to  a 
fine  not  exceeding  three  hundred  dollars; 
and  also  be  deemed  guilty  of  a  misde- 
meanor, punishable  by  imprisonment  for 
not  less  than  one  month  or  more  than  two 
months.  And,  in  case  of  fire  occurring  in 
any  of  said  buildings  in  the  absence  ot 
such  fire  escape  or  escapes,  approved  by 
certificate  of  said  officials,  the  said  per- 
sons or  corporations  shall  be  liable  in  an 
action  for  damages  in  case  of  death  or 
personal  injuries  sustained  in  consequence 
of  such  fire  breaking  out  in  said  building; 
and  shall  also  be  deemed  guilty  of  a  mis- 
demeanor, punishable  by  imprisonment  for 
not  less  than  six  months  nor  more  than 
twelve  months;  and  such  action  for  dam- 
ages may  be  maiRtp.ined  by  nny  persons 


AND   BUILDING   INSPECTORS.  105 


now  authorized  by  law  to  sue  as  in  any 
other  cases  of  similar  injuries:  Provided, 
That  nothing-  in  this  act  shall  interfere 
with  fire  escapes  now  in  use  approved  by 
the  proper  authorities. 

AN  ORDINANCE 

Regulating-  the  Inspection  and  Location  of 
Fire  Escape. 

Section  1.  The  Select  and  Common  Coun- 
cils of  the  City  of  Philadelphia  do  ordain, 
That  w^hen  any  person  or  persons  shall  be 
about  to  erect  any  external  stairway,  to  be 
used  as  a  fire  escape,  from  any  building- 
or  buildings,  within  the  City  of  Philadel- 
phia, he  or  they  shall  make  application 
to  the  Bureau  of  Building  Inspection 
for  a  permit  to  do  the  same^  the  said  ap- 
plication must  be  accompanied  by  such 
plans  and  specifications  as  shall  be  re-  Plans,  specifl- 
quired  by  the  Bureau  of  Building  In  spec- cations  and 
tion,  and  shall  also  set  forth  the  location 
of  the  proposed  fire  escape.  The  Chief  of 
the  Bureau  shall  refer  the  said  applica- 
tion to  the  inspector  of  the  said  district 
in  which  the  proposed  fire  escape  is  to  be 
erected,  and  the  said  inspector  shall  re- 
port upon  the  adaptability  of  the  pro- 
posed location,  also  whether  the  walls  are 
sufficiently  strong  to  carry  the  proposed 
escape.  Upon  receipt  of  a  favorable  re- 
port from  the  inspector  the  Bureau  shall 
issue  a  permit  for  the  erection  of  the  fire 
escape,  the  fee  for  which  shall  be  one  (1) 
dollar. 

Section  2.    No  permit  shall  be  granted  Permits, 
for  the  erection  of  any  fire  escape  which 
is  not  in  accordance  with  the  formula  of 
construction   adopted  by   the   Bureau  of 
Fire  Escapes. 

Section  3.    Any  person  or  persons  who  penalty 
shall  construct  any  fire  escape  without  per- 


106         LAWS   EELATING    TO  BUILDINGS 

mit  first  secured,  or  who  shall  erect  a  fire 
escape  not  in  accordance  with  the  plans 
approved  by  the  Bureau  of  Building  In- 
spection, or  shall  change  the  location  of 
said  fire  escape,  or  who  shall  violate  any 
of  the  provisions  of  any  section  of  this 
ordinance  shall  be  subject  to  a  penalty  of 
fifty  (50)  dollars,  and  if  such  violation  shall 
continue  after  notice  given  by  the  Bureau 
of  Building  Inspection,  to  have  the  same 
removed,  an  additional  penalty  of  twenty- 
five  (25)  dollars  shall  be  added  for  every 
month  or  fraction  thereof  the  said  viola- 
tion is  permitted  to  exist;  all  of  the  afore- 
said penalties  to  be  recovered  as  penalties 
of  equal  amount  are  or  shall  be  recover- 
able for  the  use  of  the  city. 

Approved  December  10^  1896. 


ACT  OF  ASSEMBLY 
Relating  to  Fire  Escapes. 
Approved  June  3,  1885. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  owner  of  own- 
ers in  fee  or  for  life,  of  every  building  con- 
structed more  than  two  stories  high,  and 
used  or  intended  to  be  used  as  a  hotel,  fac- 
tory, manufactory,  workshop,  tenement 
house,  school,  seminary,  college,  academy, 
hospital,  asylum,  hall,  or  place  of  amuse- 
ment; and  of  the  trustee  or  trustees  of 
every  estate,  association,  society,  college, 
academy,  hospital,  or  asylum,  owning  or 
using  any  building  constructed  more  than 
two  stories  high  and  used  or  intended  to 
be  used  for  any  of  said  purposes;  and  of 
the  Board  of  Education  or  Board  of  School 
Directors,  having  charge  of  any  building 
constructed  more  than  two  stories  high 
and  used  or  intended  to  be  used  as  a  pub- 
lic school,  to  provide  and  cause  to  be  se- 


AND   BUILDING  INSPECTORS. 


107 


curely  affixed  to  a  bolt  through  the  wall 
over  the  window  head  inside  of  at  least 
one  window  in  each  room  on  the  third 
floor,  and  in  each  room  on  each  higher 
floor  of  every  such  building,  a  chain  at  Ropes  and 
least  ten  feet  in  length,  with  a  rope  at^liams. 
least  one  inch  in  diameter  securely  at- 
tached thereto,  of  sufficient  length  to  ex- 
tend to  the  ground,  or  such  other  appli- 
ance as  may  be  approved  by  the  Board  of 
Fire  Commissioners,  of  any  city  or  county 
having  a  Board  of  Fire  Commissioners,  or 
by  the  County  Commissioners  of  any 
county  where  there  is  no  Board  of  Fire 
Commissioners:  Provided,  however,  That 
when  the  third  floor  or  any  higher  floor 
of  any  such  building  is  not  subdivided  into 
rooms,  then  at  least  six  windows  on  each 
of  such  floors  shall  be  provided  with  such 
chains  and  ropes,  or  such  other  appliances 
as  may  be  approved  by  any  Board  of  Fire 
Commissioners  or  by  the  County  Commis- 
sioners of  any  county  where  no  Board  of 
Commissioners  shall  exist.  And  provided 
further.  That  whenever  any  room  on  the 
third  floor  or  on  any  higher  floor  of  any 
such  building  shall  contain  more  than 
three  windows,  then  at  least  one  window 
out  of  every  three  windows  in  every  such 
room  shall  be  provided  with  such  chain 
and  rope,  or  such  other  appliance  as  may 
be  approved  by  any  Board  of  Fire  Com- 
missioners or  by  the  County  Commission- 
ers of  any  county  having  no  Board  of 
Fire  Commissioners;  and  each  of  such 
ropes  shall  be  coiled  and  kept  in  an  un- 
locked box,  in  an  unobstructed  place  near 
the  inside  sill  of  the  window  to  which  such 
rope  is  attached.  And  in  all  hotels,  fac- 
tories, manufactories,  workshops,  schools, 
seminaries,  colleges,  hospitals,  asylums,' 
halls,  or  places  of  amusement,  or  other 
places  mentioned  in  this  act,  the  hallways  ^^l^^^^^ 
and  stairways  shall  be  properly  lighted  at  be^^^htld 


108         LAWS    KELATING    TO  BUILDINGS 


night;  and  at  the  head  and  foot  of  each 
flight  of  stairs,  and  at  the  intersection  of 
all  hallways  with  main  corridors,  shall  be 
Red  lights.     kept  during  the  night  a  red  light;  and  one 
Gongs.  or  more  proper  alarms  or  gongs,  capable 

of  being  heard  throughout  the  building, 
shall  always  remain  easy  of  access  and 
ready  for  use  in  each  of  said  buildings,  to 
give  notice  to  the  inmates  in  case  of  fire; 
and  ever^^  keeper  of  such  hotel,  factory, 
manufactory,  workshop,  school,  seminary, 
college,  hospital,  asylum,  hall,  or  place  of 
Notices  to  be  amusement  shall  keep  posted  in  a  con- 
posted,  spicuous  place  in  every  sleeping  room  a 
notice  descriptive  of  such  means  of  escape. 
And  the  Board  of  Fire  Commissioners  and 
the  County  Commissioners  of  any  county 
having  no  Board  of  Fire  Commissioners 
shall  have  the  right  to  designate  the  loca- 
tion of  the  chains  and  ropes  or  such  other 
appliances  in  conformity  with  this  act  to 
be  attached  to  any  building  under  the  pro- 
visions of  this  act,  and  shall  grant  certifi- 
cates of  approval  to  every  person,  firm, 
corporation,  trustee.  Board  of  Education, 
and  Board  of  School  Directors,  complying 
with  the  requirements  of  this  act;  which 
certificates  shall  relieve  the  party  or  par- 
ties to  whom  the  same  shall  be  issued 
from  the  liabilities  of  fines,  damages,  and 
imprisonment  imposed  by  this  act. 

Section  2.  That  every  person,  corpora- 
tion, trustee,  Board  of  Education  and 
Board  of  School  Directors  neglecting  or  re- 
fusing to  comply  with  the  requirements 
of  the  first  section  of  this  act,  shall  be  lia- 
Penalty.  ble  to  a  fine  not  exceeding  three  hun- 
dred dollars,  to  be  collected  as  fines  are 
now  by  law  collectible,  and  shall  also  be 
deemed  guilty  of  a  misdemeanor,  punish- 
able by  imprisonment  for  not  less  than  one 
month  nor  more  than  twelve  months;  and 
in  case  of  fire  occurring  in  any  such  build- 


AND   BUILDING  INSPECTORS. 


109 


hig  not  provided  with  the  chains  and  ropes 
or  such  other  appliances  as  may  be  re- 
quired by  any  Board  of  Fire  Commission- 
ers, or  by  the  County  Commissioners  of 
any  county  where  no  Board  of  Fire  Com- 
missioners shall  exist_,  in  accordance  with 
the  requirements  with  the  first  section  of 
this  act,  the  person,  persons,  trustee, 
trustees,  corporation.  Board  of  Education, 
or  Board  of  School  Directors^  who  or  which 
neglected  or  refused  to  provide  such  build- 
ing* with  the  chains  and  ropes  or  such  other 
appliances  as  aforesaid,  shall  be  liable  in  Liability 
an  action  for  damages  in  case  of  death  or  dama 
personal  injury  being  caused  in  conse- 
quence of  such  fire  breaking  out  in  said 
building;  and  such  action  may  be  main- 
tained by  any  person  or  persons  now 
authorized  by  law  to  sue  in  other  cases  for 
injuries  caused  by  neglect  of  duty. 

Extract  from  Act  May  9,  1889: 

And  the  Board  of  Fire  Commissioners  proviso, 
and  the  Count^^  Commissioners  of  any 
county  having  no  Board  of  Fire  Commis- 
sioners may  direct  that  the  foregoing  re- 
quirements in  so  far  as  they  relate  to  the 
placing  and  keeping  of  chains  and  ropes  in 
hospitals  and  asylums,  may  be  dispensed 
with  whenever^  in  their  judgment,  the  same 
would  be  unnecessary. 

FORMULA  GOVERNING  THE  ERECTION 
OF  FIRE  ESCAPES. 

In  accordance  with  the  Act  of  Assembly 
approved  July  12,  1897,  and  the  Ordi- 
nance of  Councils  approved  December  10, 
1896,  and  supplemental  thereto,  the  fol- 
lowing formula  will  govern  the  matter 
of  the  design,  construction  and  erection 
of  all  fire  escapes  hereafter  required 
within  the  City  of  Philadelphia. 


110         LAWS    RELATING    TO  BLILDINGS 

PLATFORMS. 

The  platforms  shall  consist  of  iron  or 
steel  balconies  not  less  than  four  (4)  feet 
in  width,  the  length  of  the  platform  to  be 
dependent  upon  the  size  of  the  building 
and  the  number  of  its  occupants.  The  In- 
spector of  the  District  will  designate  the 
length  of  such  platform,  which  shall  ex- 
tend in  front  of,  and  not  less  than  nine 
(9)  inches  beyond  at  least  two  windows, 
except  in  the  case  of  a  doorway  leading 
from  the  floor  level  of  the  building  to  the 
floor  level  of  the  platform,  in  which  case 
such  doorway  opening  will  suffice.  Each 
platform  shall  be  provided  with  a  landing 
at  the  head  and  foot  of  each  stairway  of 
not  less  than  twenty-four  (24)  inches.  The 
floors  of  balconies  must  be  of  wrought 
iron  or  steel,  one  and  one-half  (1%)  inches 
by  five-sixteenths  (5/16)  inch  slats,  or 
channel  irons  not  less  than  one-quarter 
(1/4)  inch  thick  in  their  least  section,  not 
more  than  one  and  one-quarter  (1^^)  inches 
apart,  and  be  securely  riveted  to  frame  and 
brackets. 

Outside  angle  frame  to  be  not  less  than 
two  and  one-fourth  (2^4)  inch  angle  iron. 
Where  slats  of  platform  run  at  right 
angles  to  wall,  wall  angle  shall  be  riveted 
to  clips  made  of  angle  iron  four  (4)  inches 
in  length  let  into  wall  three  (3)  inches. 
All  stair  openings  to  be  sufficient  to  pro- 
vide clear  headway,  but  that  of  the  top 
platform  to  be  no  longer  than  sufficient 
to  provide  clear  headway. 

In  all  cases  platforms  must  be  designed, 
constructed  and  erected  to  safely  sustain 
in  all  their  parts  a  safe  load,  at  a  ratio  of 
four  to  one,  of  not  less  than  eighty  (80) 
pounds  per  square  foot  of  surface. 


AND   BUILDING   INSPECTORS.  Ill 

RAILINGS. 

The  outside  top  railing  to  extend  around 
the  entire  length  of  the  platform,  and 
through  the  wall  at  each  end,  and  to  be 
properly  secured  by  nuts  and  washers,  or 
otherwise  equall^^  well  braced  and  bolted. 
The  top  rail  of  the  balcony  must  not  be 
less  than  one  .  (1)  inch,  inside  diameter, 
pipe  iron,  or  material  equally  as  strong. 
The  bottom  rail  must  not  be  less  than  one 
(1)  inch,  inside  diameter,  pipe  iron  or  ma- 
terial equally  as  strong,  well  leaded  into 
the  wall.  The  standards  must  be  not  less 
than  one  (1)  inch,  inside  diameter,  pipe 
iron,  or  material  equally  as  strong,  spaced 
not  more  than  three  (3)  feet  apart  and  se- 
curely braced  by  means  of  outside  braces, 
which  are  to  be  securely  fastened  to  the 
brackets  of  platforms,  which  brackets  shall 
extend  at  least  six  (6)  inches  beyond  rail- 
ing, and  must  be  securely  connected  with 
top  and  bottom  rail  and  platform  frame. 

Standards  must  also  be  securely  braced 
by  means  of  outside  brackets.  Railings 
in  all  cases  to  extend  around  the  stair- 
way openings  and  be  continuous  down  the 
stairway.  The  height  of  the  railings  to  be 
not  less  than  three  (3)  feet. 

STAIRWAYS. 

Stairways  must  be  designed,  constructed 
and  erected  to  safely  sustain  in  all  their 
parts  a  safe  load,  at  a  ratio  of  four  to  one, 
of  not  less  than  one  hundred  (100)  pounds 
per  step,  with  the  exception  of  the  tread, 
which  must  safely  sustain,  at  a  ratio  of 
four  to  one,  a  load  of  two  hundred  (200 
pounds  per  tread.  The  treads  to  be  not 
less  than  eight  (8)  inches  wide,  and  the 
rise  not  more  than  eight  (8^  inches.  The 
stairs  in  all  cases  to  be  not  less  than 
twenty-four    (24)    inches    wide,    and  the 


112         LAWS    RELATING    TO  BUILDINGS 

string's  or  horses  to  be  not  less  than  three 
(3)  inch  channels  of  iron  or  steel,  or  other 
shape  equally  as  strong:  Provided,  They 
fall  within  the  allowable  stress  as  pre- 
scribed by  the  Act  approved  June  5,  1901, 
and  to  rest  upon  and  be  fastened  to  a 
bracket;  said  bracket  to  be  fastened 
throng-h  the  wall  as  otherwise  provided  for 
brackets.  The  string's  or  horses  to  be  also 
securely  fastened  to  the  balcony  at  the 
top.  The  steps  in  all  cases  to  be  double 
riveted  or  bolted  to  the  strings  or  horses. 

BRACKETS. 

Brackets  must  be  not  less  than  two  and 
one-fourth  (2i/4)  inch  angle  iron  or  steel, 
or  material  equally  as  strong,  not  more 
than  three  (3)  feet  apart,  braced  by  means 
of  not  less  than  one  (1)  inch  square,  or 
one  and  one-fourth  (ly^)  inch  round  iron, 
let  into  the  wall  at  least  four  (4)  inches, 
with  shoulder  on  brace,  and  three  inches 
X  three  inches  iron  washers  between 
shoulder  and  wall,  and  to  extend  down  the 
wall  four  (4)  feet  from  the  top  of  the 
bracket,  and  out  on  the  bracket-angle 
three  (3)  feet  from  the  wall.  In  all  cases 
the  bracket  angle  directly  under  the  bal- 
cony must  be  secured  to  the  wall  by  means 
of  bolts  of  suitable  size  passing  through 
the  wall,  and  four  (4)  inch  washers.  There 
must  be  also  a  two  and  one-quarter  ■(2^^) 
inch  angle  iron  between  brackets  riveted 
to  the  balcony  angles  for  the  slats  to  rest 
upon.  Whenever  the  bottom  balcony  is 
supported  by  means  of  suspension  rods 
(riveted  or  bolted)  to  the  balcony  above, 
the  brackets  (of  the  above  balcony)  shall 
be  increased  in  size  to  meet  the  increased 
strain  occasioned  thereby.  The  bottom 
balcony  to  have  a  drop  ladder  of  same 
construction  as  the  stairway,  to  be  hinged 
and  hung  with  back  arm  balance  weight: 


AND   BUILDING   INSPECTORS.  113 

Provided,  That  when  the  above  manner  of 
balancing  ladder  is  impracticable,  the  Board 
may  allow  ladder  to  be  counterbalanced 
with  weig-ht  and  chain,  said  weight,  when 
practicable,  to  be  hung  within  the  plat- 
form railing,  and  rest  upon  platform^  or 
there  shall  be  provided  a  metal  basket 
or  bracket  support  sufficient  to  properly 
sustain  or  carry  the  counterbalance  weight. 
The  form  of  this  device  to  be  subject  to 
the  approval  of  the  Inspector.  Provided 
further,  That  the  use  of  cables  is  hereby 
prohibited. 

Wire  screens  to  be  provided,  when  in 
the  judgment  of  the  Board  they  are 
deemed  necessary.  In  all  cases  bolts, 
rivets,  and  other  material  used  shall  be 
proportioned  so  as  to  develop  the  full 
strength  of  the  members  connected  by 
them.  All  parts  of  such  fire  escapes  must 
receive  not  less  than  two  coats  of  paint — 
one  coat  in  the  shop  and  one  after  erec- 
tion. 

EDWIN  CLARK, 
President  Bureau  of  Fire  Escapes. 

(Approved  Philadelphia,  December  20, 
1906.) 


FORJ^IULA     FOR     CONSTRUCTION  OF 
TOWER  FIRE  ESCAPE. 

The  said  tower  fire  escape  shall  be  di- 
vided from  the  building  by,  and  completely 
enclosed  with,  brick  walls  or  such  other 
fire-proof  materials  as  shall  be  accepted 
by  the  Bureau  of  Building  Inspection.  The 
said  walls  to  be  built  solidly  from  the 
foundation  to  and  at  least  36  inches  above 
the  roof. 

The  roof  of  said  tower  shall  be  built  of 
hard,  incombustible  materials. 


114         LAWS    RELATING    TO  BUILDINGS 

The  stairs  of  said  tower  may  be  iron  or 
wood;  but  in  all  cases  there  must  be  pro- 
vided stone  or  iron  thresholds;  iron  frames, 
or  wood  frames  covered  with  metal;  and 
iron  doors,  or  wood  doors  covered  with 
tin.  The  rise  of  said  stairs  shall  not  be 
more  than  eight  (8)  inches  and  the  tread 
not  less  than  nine  (9)  inches.  The  en- 
trance to  said  tower  shall  be  by  means  of 
an  outside  balcony  or  an  incombustible 
vestibule,  of  which  one  side  shall  be  en- 
tirely open  and  extend  from  the  top  of 
floor  to  under  side  of  ceiling  and  the  full 
width  of  the  tower.  The  said  open  side 
to  face  a  street  or  such  open  space  as  pro- 
vides for  exit  of  said  tower. 

There  shall  be  a  brick  wall,  or  other  wall 
of  hard,  incombustible  material,  separating* 
the  tower  from  the  vestibule.  The  open- 
ing into  tower  from  said  vestibule  to  be 
not  over  seven  (7)  feet  in  height.  The 
floor,  ceiling  and  sides  of  said  vestibule  to 
be  of  hardj  incombustible  material. 

The  rails  enclosing  the  side  facing  the 
open  space  or  street  to  be  not  over  four 
(4)  feet  high  and  not  less  than  three  (3) 
feet,  may  be  open  or  enclosed. 

The  entrance  to  the  tower  from  the 
building  shall  be  through  the  vestibule. 

Towers  that  have  not  the  fire-proof  ves- 
tibule shall  have  outside  balconies;  floors 
of  balconies  to  be  solid,  and  built  of  hard, 
incombustible  material  and  be  of  sufficient 
strength  to  carry  the  imposed  weights. 

The  rails  around  said  balconies  shall  be 
not  over  four  (4)  feet  in  height  nor  less 
than  three  (3)  feet,  and  may  be  enclosed 
or  open. 


AND  BUILDING   INSPECTORS.  115 


FOEMULA  ADOPTED  BY  THE  BUREAU 
OF  BUILDING  INSPECTION. 

The  figures  in  compression  given  in  Sec- 
tion 41  of  Act  approved  May  5,  1899,  shall 
be  reduced  for  columns  in  proportion  to 
length  and  least  diameter  according  to  fol- 
lovring  formula: 


CAST  IRON.  WROUGHT  IRON. 

70000  50000 


■   1  +   

400  D^  15000  11=^ 


MILD  STEEL. 
58000 


1  -f 


13500  W 


MEDIUM  STEEL. 
65000 


1  + 


11000  E,=^ 


In  which  "L"  equals  length  of  column  in 
inches,  and  "R"  equals  least  radius  of  gyra- 
tion in  inches,  and  "D"  equals  diameter  or 
least  side  in  inches. 


FOR  WOODEN  COLUMNS: 


UL 

U  

lOOD 


In  which  **U"  equals  ultimate  compres- 

sion  given  above,  and           equals  ratio  of 

D 

length  to  least  diameter  of  column. 

The  allowable  reduction  of  live  load  on 
columns  and  girders  as  mentioned  in  Sec- 
tion 43,  of  Act  approved  May  5,  1899,  shall 
be  as  follows: 


116         LAWS    RELATING    TO  BUILDINGS 


For  all  tenement  houses,  hotels,  apart- 
ment houses,  hospitals  and  office  build- 
ings the  live  loads  on  columns,  girders  and 
foundations  may  be  estimated  by  the  for- 
mula X=:100 —  f  |/  A,  and  for  light  manu- 
facturing building  by  the  formula  X=:1(X) 
~  I  l/  A,  in  which  "X"  equals  the  percent- 
age of  live  load  to  be  used,  and  "A'*  equals 
area  carried  by  any  girder,  column  or 
foundation. 

REGULATIOiNS 

Of  the  Bureau,  of  Building  Inspection  of 
the  City  of  Philadelphia  for  the  Testing 
of  ISlew  Materials  Used  in  Building  Con- 
struction, I 

Apply  to  all  1.  These  regulations  are  to  apply  to  all 
new  building  such  new  materials  as  are  used  in  build- 
ing  construction^  in  the  same  manner  and 
for  the  same  purposes,  as  natural  stones, 
brick  and  concrete  are  now  authorized  by 
the  Building  Law,  Rules  and  Regulations, 
of  the  Bureau  of  Building  Inspection. 

2.  Before  any  such  material  is  used  in 
buildings,  an  application  for  its  use  and 
for  a  test  of  the  same  must  be  filed  with 
the  Bureau  of  Building  Inspection.  A 
description  of  the  material  and  a  brief 
outline  of  its  manufacture  must  be  em- 
bodied in  the  application. 

3.  The  material  must  be  subjected  to 
the  following  tests:  Transverse,  Compres- 
sion, Absorption  and  Freezing.  Additional 
tests,  including  Fire  test,  may  be  called 
for  when,  in  the  judgment  of  the  Chief 
of  the  Bureau  of  Building  Inspection,  the 
same  may  be  desired  or  considered  neces- 
sary. All  such  tests  shall  be  made  under 
the  supervision  of  the  Bureau,  in  the 
Philadelphia  Testing  Laboratory  attached 
to  the  Bureau  of  Surveys. 


Application 
for  test  and 
use  to  be 
filed. 


Testp  re- 
quired. 


AND   BUILDING  INSPECTOES.  117 


4.  The  results  of  the  tests,  whether  satis-  Results  to 
factory  or  not^  must  be  placed  on  file  in 

the  Burean  of  Building-  Inspection.  They 
shall  be  open  to  public  inspection,  but 
need  not  necessarily  be  published. 

5.  For  the  purposes  of  the  tests,  at  least  Samples  to 
10  samples  or  test  pieces  must  be  pro-  provided, 
vided.       Such     samples    must  represent 

the  ordinary  commercial  product.  They 
may  be  selected  from  stock  by  the  Chief 
of  the  Bureau  of  Building"  Inspection, 
or  his  representative,  or  may  be  made 
in  his  presence,  at  his  discretion.  The 
samples  must  be  approximately  eig'ht 
inches  long,  four  inches  wide  and  two 
inches  thick.  In  cases  where  the  material 
is  made  and  used  in  special  shapes  or  forms 
full  size  samples  may  also  be  called  for  and 
tested  in  such  manner  as  may  be  directed 
by  the  Chief  of  the  Bureau  of  Building- 
Inspection,  to  determine  the  physical  char- 
acteristic  specified   in  Reg^ulation  3. 

6.  The  samples  may  be  tested  as  soon  Must  be 

as  desired  by  the  applicant  but  in  no  case  tested  in  60 
later  than  sixty  days  after  manufacture,  ^^y^- 

7.  The  weig-ht  per  cubic  foot  and  specific  Weight  and 
g-ravity   of   the   material   must   be   deter-  gravity  to  be 
mined.  determined. 

8.  These  tests  shall  be  made  in  series  of  Tests  to  be 
at  least  five,  except  that  in  the  fire  tests  a  niade  in 
series  of  two  (four  samples)  is  sufficient, 

The  transverse  tests  shall  be  made  first  on 
full-size  samples  (8  by  4  by  2).  The  re- 
sulting- half  samples  are  then  used  for  the 
compression  and  absorption  tests,  but  in 
no  case  must  both  halves  of  the  same 
piece  be  used  in  either  series.  Half  sam- 
ples may  also  be  used  for  the  freezing- 
and  fire  tests  under  the  same  restrictions. 
The  remaining-  samples  are  kept  in  reserve, 
in  case  unusual  flaws  or  exceptional  or 
abnormal  conditions  make  it  necessary  to 


118         LAWS    RELATING    TO  BUILDINGS 


Samples  must  discard  certain  of  the  tests.    All  the  sam- 
be  marked.      pj^g  must  be  marked  for  identification  and 
comparison. 

Transverse  9.  The  transverse  test  shall  be  made  as 
follows:  The  sample  shall  be  placed  flat- 
wise on  two  rounded  knife-edge  bearings 
set  parallel,  seven  inches  apart.  A  load 
is  then  applied  on  top,  midway  between 
the  supports,  and  transmitted  through  a 
similar  rounded  edge,  until  the  sample  is 
ruptured.  The  modulus  of  rupture  shall 
then  be  determined. 

Compression  10.  The  Compression  test  shall  be  made  as 
test.  follows:    The  sample  must  first  be  thor- 

oughly dried  to  a  constant  weight.  It  must 
be  carefully  measured^  then  bedded  flat- 
wise on  blotting  paper,  to  secure  a  uni- 
form bearing  in  the  testing  machine,  and 
crushed. 

Absorption  11.  The  Absorption  test  must  be  made  as 
t^st-  follows:    The  sample  is  first  thoroughly 

dried  to  a  constant  weight.  The  weight 
must  be  carefully  recorded.  It  is  then 
])laced  in  a  pan  or  tray  of  water,  immers- 
ing it  completely.  It  is  again  carefully 
weighed  at  the  expiration  of  forty-eight 
hours  from  the  time  of  immersion.  Its 
compressive  strength,  while  still  wet,  is 
then  determined  in  the  manner  specified 
in  Regulation  10. 

Freezing  12.  The  Freezing  test  is  made  as  follows: 

test.  The  sample  is  immersed,  as  described  in 

Eegulation  11,  for  at  least  four  hours,  and 
then  weighed.  It  is  then  placed  in  a  freez- 
ing mixture  or  a  refrigerator,  or  other- 
wise subjected  to  a  tempei-ature  of  less 
than  fifteen  degrees  Fahrenheit,  for  at 
least  six  hours.  It  is  then  removed  and 
placed  in  water,  where  it  must  remain  for 
at  least  one  hour^  the  temperature  of 
which  is  at  least  one  hundred  and  fifty 
degrees  Fahrenheit.    This  operation  is  re- 


AND   BUILDING  INSPECTORS. 


119 


peated  ten  times,  after  which  the  sample 
is  again  weighed  while  still  wet  from  last 
thawing-.  Its  crushing  strength  shoTild  then 
be  determined,  as  called  for  in  Kegulatioii 
10. 

i:>.  The  Fire  test  must  be  made  as  fol-  Fire  test, 
lows:  Two  samples  are  i)laced  in  a  cold 
gas  furnace^  in  which  the  temperatnre  is 
gradually  raised  to  seventeen  hundred  de- 
grees Fahrenheit  in  one  hour.  One  of  the 
samples  is  then  plunged  in  cold  water 
(about  fifty  to  sixty  degrees  Fahrenheit), 
and  results  noted.  The  second  sample  is 
permitted  to  cool  gradually  in  air,  and  the 
results  noted. 

14.  The  following  requirements  must  be  Requirements 
met  to  secure  an  acceptance  of  the  mate-  to  be  met. 
rials.    The  modulus  of  rupture  must  aver-  Modulus  of 
age  four  hundred  and  fifty  and  must  not  rupture, 
fall  below  three  himdred  and  fifty  in  any 
case.     The  ultimate  compressive  strength  Ultimate 
must  average  three  thousand  pounds  per  g^^^^^^^^^^ 
square  inch  and  must  not  fall  below  twen-    ^^^^  ' 
ty-five  hundred  in  any  case.    The  percent- Percentage  of 
age   of  absorption    (being  the  weight   of  absorption, 
water  absorbed  divided  by  the  weight  of 
the  dry  sample)  must  not  average  higher 
than  fifteen  per  cent,  and  must  not  exceed 
tw^enty  per  cent,  in  any  case.    The  reduc-  Reduction  of 
tion  of  compressive  strength  must  not  be  compressive 
more  than  thirt^^-three  and  one-third  per  ^  ^^^^  * 
cent.,  except  that  when  the  lower  figure  is 
still    above    three    thousand    pounds  per 
square  inch,  the  loss  in  strength  may  be 
neglected.    Tlie  freezing  and  thawing  proc-  Loss  in 
ess  must  not  cause  a  loss  in  weight  greater  weight  and 
than  ten  per  cent.,  nor  loss  in  strength  freezing  and^ 
of  more  than  thirty-three  and  one-third  per  thawing, 
cent.,  excej)t  that  when  the  lower  figure 
is  still  above  three  thousand  pounds  per 
square  inch^  the  loss  in  strength  may  be 
neglected.    The  fire  test  must  not  cause  J^on^due^to 
the  material  to  disintegrate.  Are  test. 


120         LAWS    RELATING    TO  BUILDINGS 


Approval ;  iin-     15.  The  approval  of  any  material  is  given 
der  follow-     only  under  the  followincf  conditions: 
Ing  con-  * 

ditioiis.  (a)  A    brand    mark    for  identification 

must  be 'impressed  on,  or  othcrAvise  at- 
tached  to   the  material. 

(b)  A  plant  for  the  production  of  the 
material  must  be  in  full  operation  when 
the  official  tests  are  made. 

(c)  The  name  of  the  firm  or  corporation 
and  the  responsible  officers  must  be  placed 
on  file  with  the  Chief  of  the  Bureau  of 
Building-  Inspection,  and  changes  in  same 
promptly  reported. 

(d)  The  tests  must  be  repeated  at  any 
time  when  called  for,  on  samples  selected 
from  the  open  market,  when  there  is  any 
doubt  whether  the  product  is  up  to  the 
standard   of  these  regulations. 

(e)  In  case  the  results  of  tests  made 
under  this  condition  (d)  should  show  that 
the  standard  of  these  regulations  is  not 
maintained,  the  p.pproval  of  this  Bureau 
will  be  at  once  suspended  or  revoked. 

EDWIN  CLARK, 
Chief  of  the  Bureau  of  Building  Inspection. 
Approved, 

Sept.  28,  1906. 

R.  J.  McKENTY, 
Director 

RULES  AND  REGULATIONS 

Governing  the  use  and  manufacture  of  Hol- 
loyv  Concrete  Building  Blocks  in  the 
City  of  Philadelphia. 

1.  Hollow  concrete  building  blocks  may 
be  used  for  buildings  six  stories  or  less 
in  height  where  said  use  is  approved  by 
the  Bureau  of  Building  Inspection;  Pro- 
vided, however,  that  such  blocks  shall  be 
composed  of  at  least  one  (1)  part  of  Stand- 


AND   BUILDING   INSPECTORS.  121 


ard  Portland  Cement,  and  not  to  exceed  Comix  sition. 
five  (5)  parts  of  clean,  coarse,  sharp  sand 
or  gravel,  or  a  mixture  of  at  least  one  part 
of  Portland  cement  to  five   (5)   parts  of 
crushed  rock  or  other  suitable  aggregate. 

Provided,  further  that  this  section  shall  Not  to  bo 
not  permit  the  use  of  hollow  blocks  in  ^f^^j^,y'^  P'"*^^^ 
party  vs^alls.     Said  party  walls  must  be 
built  solid. 


2.  All  material  to  be  of  such  fineness  as 
to  pass  a  one-half  inch  ring  and  be  free 
from  dirt  or  foreign  matter.  The  mate- 
rial composing  such  blocks  shall  be  prop- 
erly mixed  and  manipulated,  and  the  hol- 
low space  in  said  blocks  shall  not  exceed 
the  percentage  given  in  the  following  table 
for  different  height  walls,  and  in  no  ease 
shall  the  walls  or  webs  of  the  block  be 
less  in  thickness  than  one-fourth  of  the 
height.  The  figures  given  in  the  table  rep- 
resent the  percentage  of  such  hollow  ^f^^JJo^lo^^® 
space  for  different  height  walls.  space. 

Stories.  1st.  2nd.  3rd.  4th.    5th.  6th. 

1  and  2  83  33 

3  and  4  25  33  33  33 

5  and  6  20  25  25  33       33  33 


3.  The  thickness  of  walls  for  any  build- Tliioknrss  of 
ing  where  hollow^  concrete  blocks  are  used  walls, 
shall  not  be  less  than  is  required  by  law 

for  brick  walls. 

4.  Where  the  face  only  is  of  hollow  con- 
crete building  block,  and  the  backing  is 
of  brick,  the  facing  of  hollow  concrete 
blocks  must  be  strongly  bonded  to  the 
brick  either  with  headers  projecting  four 

(4)    inches    into    the    brick    work,    every  to  be 
f  ourth  course  being  a  heading  course,  or  bonded, 
with  approved  ties;   no  brick  backing  to 
be  less  than  (8)  eight  inches.    Where  the 
walls  are  made  entirely  of  hollow  concrete 


122         LAWS   RELATING    TO  BUILDINGS 


Age  oi' 
blocks. 


Blocks  to  be 
made  solid 
under  concen 
trated  load, 
etc. 


Maximum 
load. 


Crushing 
strength. 


Piers  and 
buttresses. 


blocks,  but  where  said  blocks  have  not  the 
same  width  as  the  wall,  every  fifth  course 
shall  extend  through  the  wall,  forming  a 
secure  bond.  All  walls,  where  blocks  are 
used,  shall  be  laid  up  in  Portland  Cement 
Mortar. 

5.  All  hollow  concrete  building  blocks, 
before  being  used  in  the  construction  of 
any  building  in  the  City  of  Philadelphia, 
shall  have  attained  the  age  of  at  least 
three  (3)  weeks. 

6.  Wherever  girders  or  joists  rest  upon 
walls  so  that  there  is  a  concentrated  load 
on  the  block  of  over  two  (2)  tons,  the 
blocks  supporting  the  girder  or  joists 
must  be  made  solid.  Where  such  concen- 
trated load  shall  exceed  five  (5)  tons,  the 
blocks  for  two  (2)  courses  below,  and  for 
a  distance  extending  at  least  eighteen 
inches  each  side  of  said  girder,  shall  be 
made  solid.  Where  the  load  on  the  wall 
from  the  girder  exceeds  five  (5)  tons,  the 
blocks  for  three  (3)  courses  beneath  it 
shall  be  made  solid  with  similar  material 
as  in  the  blocks.  Wherever  walls  are  de- 
creased in  thickness,  the  top  course  of  the 
thicker  wall  to  be  solid. 

7.  Provided  always,  that  no  wall,  or  any 
part  thereof,  composed  of  hollow  concrete 
blocks  shall  be  loaded  to  an  excess  of  eight 
(8)  tons  per  superficial  foot  of  the  area 
of  such  blocks,  including  the  weight  of  the 
wall,  and  no  blocks  shall  be  used  that  have 
an  average  crushing  at  less  than  1000 
pounds  per  square  inch  of  area  at  the  age 
of  twenty-eight  (28)  days;  no  deduction 
to  be  made  in  figuring  the  area  for  the 
hollow  spaces. 

8.  All  piers  and  buttresses  that  support 
loads  in  excess  of  five  (5)  tons,  shall  be 
built  of  solid  concrete  blocks  for  such  dis- 
tance below  as  may  be  required  by  the 
Bureau  of  Building  Inspection.  Concrete 


AND   BUILDING   INSPECTORS.  123 


lintels  and  sills  shall  be  reinforced  by  iron 

or  steel  rods  in  a  manner  satisfactory  to 

the  Bureau  of  Building-  Inspection,  and  any  nn"^,}!"^^ 

lintels  spanning-  over  four  feet  six  inches 

in  the  clear  shall  rest  on  solid  concrete 

blocks. 

9.  Provided,   that   no   hollow^  concrete 
building-  blocks  shall  be  used  in  the  con- 
struction of  any  building  in  the  City  of 
Philadelphia,    unless   the    maker   of  said 
blocks  has  submitted  his  product  to  the  Blocks  to 
full  test  required  by  the  Bureau  of  Build- be  tested, 
ing-  Inspection,  and  placed  on  file  w^ith  said 
Bureau  of  Building  Inspection  a  certificate  Certificate 
from  a  reliable  testing-  laboratory  shov^-  filed, 
ing  that  samples  from  the  lot  of  blocks  to 

be  used  have  successfully^  passed  the  re- 
quirements of  the  Bureau  of  Building  In- 
spection, and  filing  a  full  copy  of  the  test 
with  the  Bureau. 

10.  A  brand  or  mark  of  identification  Brand, 
must  be  impressed  in,  or  otherwise  per- 
manently attached  to,  each  block  for  pur- 
pose of  identification. 

11.  No  certificate  of  approval  shall  be  Approval 
considered  in  force  for  more  than  four  limited  to 
months,  unless  there  be  filed  with  the  Bu-^  months, 
reau  of  Building  Inspection,  in  the  City^  of 
Philadelphia,    at    least    once    every  four 
months  following,  a  certificate  from  some 
reliable  physical  testing  laboratory  show- 
ing that  the  average  of  three  (3)  speci- 
mens tested  for  compression,  alid  three  (3) 
specimens  tested  for  transverse  strength, 
comply  with  the  requirements  of  the  Bu- 
reau of  Building  Inspection  of  the  City  of 
Philadelphia;  samples  to  be  selected  either 

by  a  Building  Inspector  or  by  the  labora- 
tory, from  blocks  actually  going  into  con- 
struction work.  Samples  must  not  be  fur- 
nished by  the  contractors  or  builders. 

12.  The  manufacturer  and  user  of  any 


124        LAWS    RELATING    TO  BUILDINGS 


Cement  to 
be  tested. 


Portland 
cement  to 
be  used. 


Defective 
blocks  to  be 
condemned. 


such  hollow  concrete  blocks  as  are  men- 
tione)d  in  this  reg-nlation,  or  either  of 
them,  shall,  at  any  and  all  times^  have 
made  snch  tests  of  the  cements  used  in 
making-  such  blocks,  or  such  further  tests 
of  the  completed  blocks,  or  of  each  of 
these,  at  their  own  expense,  and  under  the 
supervision  of  the  Bureau  of  Building-  In- 
spection, as  the  Chief  of  said  Bureau  shall 
require. 

13.  The  cement  used  in  making-  said' 
blocks  shall  be  Portland  cement,  and  must 
be  capable  of  passing-  the  minimum  re- 
quirements as  set  forth  in  the  "Standard 
Specifications  for  Cement"  by  the  Ameri- 
can Society  for  Testing  Materials. 

14.  Any  and  all  blocks,  samples  of  which, 
on  being-  tested  under  the  direction  of 
the  Bureau  of  Building-  Inspection,  fail  to 
stand  at  twenty-eight  (28)  days  the  tests 
required  by  this  regulation,  shall  be 
marked  ^'condemned"  by  the  manufac- 
turer or  user^  and  shall  be  destroyed. 

15.  No  concrete  blocks  shall  be  used  in 
the  construction  of  any  building  within  the 
City  of  Philadelphia  until  they  shall  have 
been  inspected,  and  average  samples  of 
the  lot  tested,  approved  and  accepted  by 
the  Chief  of  Building  Inspectors. 


SPECIFICATIONS  GOVERNING  METHOD 
OF  TESTING  HOLLOW  BLOCKS. 

1.  These  regulations  shall  apply  to  all 
such  new  materials  as  are  used  in  build- 
ing construction,  in  the  same  manner  and 
for  the  same  purposes,  as  stones,  brick  and 
concrete  are  now  authorized  by  the  Build- 
ing Laws,  when  said  new  material  to  be 
substituted  departs  from  the  general  shape 
and  dimensions  of  ordinary  building 
brick,  and  more  particularly  to  that  form 


AND   BUILDING   INSPECTORS.  125 

of  building-  material  known  as  "Hollow 
Concrete  Block,"  manufactured  from  ce- 
ment and  a  certain  addition  of  sand, 
crushed  stone  or  similar  material. 

2.  Before  any  such  material  is  used  in 
buildings,  an  application  for  its  use  and 
for  a  test  of  the  same  must  be  filed  with 
the  Chief  of  the  Bureau  of  Building*  Inspec- 
tion. A  description  of  the  material  and  a 
brief  outline  of  its  manufacture  and  pro- 
portions of  the  materials  used  must  be 
embodied  in  the  application. 

3.  The  material  must  be  subjected  to  the  Tests 
following-  test:     Transverse,  Compression,  required. 
Absorption,  Freezing-,  and  Fire.  Additional 

tests  may  be  called  for  when,  in  the  judge- 
ment of  the  Chief  of  the  Bureau  of  Build- 
ing* Inspection,  the  same  may  be  necessary. 
All  such  tests  must  be  made  in  some  labo- 
ratory of  recognized  standing-,  under  the 
supervision  of  the  engineer  of  the  Bureau 
of  Building-  Inspection.  The  tests  will  be 
made  at  the  expense  of  the  applicant. 

4.  The  results  of  the  tests,  whether  sat-  Results  to 
isfactory  or  not,  must  be  placed  on  file  in  be  filed, 
the  Bureau  of  Building  Inspection.  They 

shall  be  open  to  inspection  upon  applica- 
tion to  the  Chief  of  the  Bureau,  but  need 
not  necessarily  be  published. 

5.  For  the  purposes  of  the  tests,  at  least  Samples  to 
twenty  (20)   samples  or  test  pieces  must  be  provided, 
be  provided.     Such   samples  must  repre- 
sent   the    ordinary    commercial  product. 

They  may  be  selected  from  stock  by  the 
Chief  of  the  Bureau  of  Building  Inspec- 
tion, or  his  representative,  or  may  be  made 
in  his  presence,  at  his  discretion.  The 
samples  must  be  of  the  regular  size  and 
shape  used  in  construction.  In  cases 
where  the  material  is  made  and  used  in 
special  shapes  and  forms,  too  large  for 
testing  in  the  ordinary  machines,  smaller 
sized  specimens  shall  be  used  as  may  be 


126         LAWS    RELATING    TO  BUILDINGS 


Tests  to  bo 
made  in 
60  days. 


Weight 
to  be 

determined. 


Transverse 
test. 


Compression 
test. 


directed  by  the  Chief  of  Building  Inspec- 
tion, to  determine  the  physical  character- 
istic specified  in  Section  3. 

6.  The  samples  may  be  tested  as  soon 
as  desired  by  the  applicant,  but  in  no  case 
later  than  sixty  (60)  days  after  manufac- 
ture. 

7.  The  weight  per  cubic  foot  of  the  ma- 
terial must  be  determined. 

8.  Tests  shall  be  made  in  series  of  at 
least  five,  except  that  in  the  fire  tests  a  se- 
ries of  two  (four  samples)  are  sufficient. 
Transverse  tests  shall  be  made  on  full 
sized  samples.  Half  samples  may  be  used 
for  the  crushing,  freezing  and  fire  tests. 
The  remaining  samples  are  kept  in  reserve, 
in  case  unusual  flaws  or  exceptional  or 
abnormal  conditions  make  it  necessary  to 
discard  certain  of  the  tests.  All  samples 
must  be  marked  for  identification  and 
comparison. 

9.  The  Transverse  test  shall  be  made  as 
follows:  The  samples  shall  be  placed  flat- 
wise on  two  rounded  knife  edge  bearings 
set  parallel  seven  inches  apart.  A  load  is 
then  applied  on  top,  midw^ay  between  the 
supports,  and  transmitted  through  a  simi- 
lar rounded  knife  edge,  until  the  sample 
is  ruptured.  The  modulus  of  rupture  shall 
then  be  determined  by  multiplying  the  to- 
tal breaking  load  in  pounds  by  twenty-one 
(three  times  the  distance  between  sup- 
ports in  inches)  and  then  dividing  the  re- 
sult thus  obtained  by  twice  the  product 
of  the  width  in  inches  by  the  square  of 
the  depth  in  inches.  R— 2  No  allowance 
should  be  made  in  figuring  the  modulus  of 
rupture  for  the  hollow  spaces. 

10.  The  Compression  test  shall  be  made 
as  follows:  Samples  must  be  cut  from 
blocks  so  as  to  contain  a  full  web  section. 
The  sample  must  be  carefully  measured, 


AND   BUILDING  INSPECTORS. 


127 


then  bedded  flat-wise  in  Plaster  of  Paris, 
to  secure  a  uniform  bearing  in  the  testing" 
machine,  and  crushed.  The  total  breaking 
load  is  then  divided  by  the  area  in  com- 
pression in  square  inches.  No  deduction 
to  be  made  for  hollow  spaces;  the  area 
will  be  considered  as  the  product  of  the 
width  by  the  length. 

11.  The  Absorption  test  must  be  made  Absorption 
as  follows:    The  sample  is  first  thoroughly  ^^st. 
dried  to  a  constant  weight.    The  weight 

must  be  carefully  recorded.  It  is  then 
placed  in  a  pan  or  tray  of  water,  face 
downward,  immersing  it  to  a  depth  of  not 
more  than  one-half  inch.  It  is  again  care- 
fully weighed  at  the  following  periods: 
Thirty  minutes,  four  hours,  and  forty- 
eight  hours,  respectively,  from  the  time  of 
immersion,  being  replaced  in  the  water  in 
each  case  as  soon  as  the  weight  is  taken. 
Its  compressive  strength,  while  still  wet, 
is  then  determined  at  the  end  of  the  forty- 
eight  hours  period,  in  the  manner  specified 
in  section  10. 

12.  The  Freezing  test  is  made  as  fol- Freezing 
lows:     The   sample   is  immersed,   as  de-test, 
scribed  in   section  11,  for   at  least  four 
hours,  and  then  weighed.   It  is  then  placed 

in  a  freezing  mixture  or  a  refrigerator,  or 
otherwise  subjected  to  a  temperature  of 
less  than  15  degrees  F.  for  at  least  12  hours. 
It  is  then  removed  and  placed  in  water, 
where  it  must  remain  for  at  least  one  hour, 
the  temperature  of  which  is  at  least  150  de- 
grees F.  This  operation  is  repeated  ten 
(10)  times,  after  which  the  sample  is  again 
weighed  while  still  wet  from  the  last  thaw- 
ing. Its  crushing  strength  should  then  be 
determined  as  called  for  in  section  10. 

13.  The  Fire  test  must  be  made  as  fol-  Fire  test, 
lows: — Two  samples  are  placed  in  a  cold 
furnace  in  which  the  temperature  is  grad- 
ually raised  to  1700  degrees  F.    The  test 

5 


128         LAWS    RELATING    TO  BUILDINGS 


Modulus 
of  rupture. 


Ultimate 

compressive 

strength. 


Conditions 
for  approval. 


piece  must  be  subjected  to  this  tempera- 
ture for  at  least  30  minutes.  One  of  the 
samples  is  then  plunged  in  cold  water 
(about  50  deg-rees  to  60  degrees  F.)  and 
the  results  noted.  The  second  sample  is 
permitted  to  cool  gradually  in  air,  and  the 
results  noted. 

14.  The  following  requirements  must  be 
met  to  secure  an  acceptance  of  the  mate- 
rials: The  Modulus  of  Rupture  for  con- 
crete blocks  at  28  days  old  must  average 
one  hundred  and  fifty  and  must  not  fall 
below  one  hundred  in  any  case.  The  ulti- 
mate compressive  strength  at  28  days 
must  average  one  thousand  pounds  per 
square  inch  and  must  not  fall  below  seven 
hundred  in  any  case.  The  percentage  of 
absorption  (being  the  weight  of  water  ab- 
sorbed divided  by  the  weight  of  the  dry 
sample)  must  not  average  higher  than  15 
per  cent  and  must  not  exceed  20  per  cent 
in  any  case.  The  reduction  of  compressive 
strength  must  not  be  more  than  thirty- 
three  and  one-third  per  cent,  except  that 
when  the  lower  figure  is  still  above  one 
thousand  pounds  per  square  inch  the  loss 
in  strength  may  be  neglected.  The  freez- 
ing and  thawing  process  must  not  cause 
a  loss  in  weight  greater  than  ten  per  cent, 
nor  a  loss  in  strength  of  more  than  thirty- 
three  and  one-third  per  cent;  except  that 
when  the  lower  figure  is  still  above  one 
thousand  pounds  per  square  inch,  the  loss 
in  strength  may  be  neglected.  The  Fire 
test  must  not  cause  the  material  to  disin- 
tegrate. 

15.  The  approval  of  any  material  is  given 
only  under  the  following  conditions: 

a.  A  brand  mark  for  identification  must 
be  impressed  on^  or  otherwise  attached  to, 
the  material. 

b.  A  plant  for  the  production  of  the  ma- 
terial must  be  in  full  operation  when  the 
official  tests  are  made. 


AND   BUILDING   INSPECTORS.  129 

c.  The  name  of  the  firm  or  corporation 
and  the  responsible  officers  must  be  placed 
on  file  with  the  Chief  of  Bureau  of  Build- 
ing Inspection,  and  changes  in  same 
promptly  reported. 

d.  The  Chief  of  the  Bureau  of  Building 
Inspection  may  require  full  tests  to  be 
repeated  on  samples  selected  from  the 
open  market  when^  in  his  opinion,  there  is 
any  doubt  as  to  whether  the  product  is 
up  to  the  standard  of  these  regulations, 
and  the  manufacturer  must  submit  to  the 
Bureau  of  Building  Inspection,  once  in  at 
least  every  four  months,  a  certificate  of 
tests  showing  that  the  average  resistance 
of  three  specimens  to  cross  breaking  and 
crushing  are  not  below  the  requirements 
of  these  regulations.  Such  tests  must  be 
made  by  some  laboratory  of  recognized 
standing  on  samples  selected  either  by  a 
Building  Inspector  or  the  laboratory,  from 
material  actually  going  into  construction, 
and  not  on  those  furnished  by  the  manu- 
facturer. 

e.  In  case  the  results  of  tests  made 
under  this  condition  (d.)  should  show  that 
the  standard  of  these  regulations  is  not 
maintained,  the  approval  of  this  bureau  to 
the  manufacture  of  said  blocks  will  at 
once  be  suspended  or  revoked. 


REGULATIONS 

Of  the  Bureau  of  Building  Inspection  in 
Regard  to  the  Use  of  Reinforced  Con- 
crete in  the  City  of  Philadelphia. 

The  term  "reinforced  concrete'*  shall  be  "Reinforced 
understood  to  mean  an  approved  concrete  concrete" 
mixture  reinforced  by  steel  or  iron  of  any  f'<^fined. 
shape,  so  that  the  steel  or  iron  will  take 
up  all  the  tensional  stresses  and  assist  in 
the  resistance  to  compression  and  shear. 


130         LAWS    RELATING    TO  BUILDINGS 


PlaJis  to  be 
filed. 


Foreman  or 
superinten- 
dent. 


Aggregate. 


Flooring 


Minimum 

thickness  of 
fireproofing. 


Flooring, 
beams,  etc. 


Before  a  permit  to  erect  any  reinforced 
concrete  structure  is  issued,  complete  speci- 
fications and  drawings  shall  be  filed  with 
the  Bureau  of  Building*  Inspection,  showing 
all  details  of  the  construction,  size  and  posi- 
tion of  all  reinforcing  rods,  stirrups,  etc., 
and  giving  the  composition  and  proportions 
of  the  concrete. 

The  execution  of  the  work  shall  be  per- 
formed by  workmen  under  the  direct  super- 
vision of  a  competent  foreman  or  superin- 
tendent. 

Reinforced  concrete  construction  will  be 
accepted  for  fireproof  buildings  of  the  first 
class,  if  designed  as  hereinafter  prescribed; 
provided,  that  the  aggregate  for  such  con- 
crete shall  be  clean,  broken,  hard  stone,  or 
clean  graded  gravel,  together  with  clean 
siliceous  sand  or  fine  grained  gravel; 
should  the  concrete  be  used  for  flooring  be- 
tween rolled  steel  beams,  clean  furnace 
clinkers  entirely  free  of  combustible  mat- 
ter, or  suitable  seasoned  furnace  slag  may 
be  used;  when  stone  is  used  w^ith  sand  or 
gravel  it  must  \xe  of  a  size  to  pass  through 
a  one  inch  ring,  and  25%  of  the  whole  must 
not  be  more  than  one-half  the  maximum 
size;  and  provided  further,  that  the  mini- 
mum thickness  of  concrete  surrounding  the 
reinforcing  members  of  reinforced  concrete 
beams  and  girders  shall  be  two  inches  on 
the  bottom  and  one  and  one-half  inches  on 
the  sides  of  the  said  beams  and  girders. 
The  minimum  thickness  of  concrete  under 
slab  rods  shall  be  one  inch.  All  reinforce- 
ment in  columns  to  have  a  minimum  pro- 
tection of  two  inches  of  concrete. 

All  the  requirements  herein  specified  for 
the  protection  of  steel  and  for  fire-resist- 
ing purposes  shall  apply  to  reinforced  con- 
crete flooring  between  rolled-steel  beams, 
as  well  as  to  reinforced  concrete  beams 
and  to  entire  structures  in  reinforcd  con- 


AND   BUILDING   INSPECTORS.  131 


Crete.  Any  concrete  structure  or  the  floor  Metal 
filling"  in  same,  reinforced  or  otherwise,  centering, 
which  may  be  erected  on  a  permanent  cen- 
tering- of  sheet  metal,  of  metal  lathing  and 
curved  bars  or  a  metal  centering-  of  any 
other  form,  must  be  strong-  enough  to  carry 
its  load  without  assistance  from  the  center- 
ing, unless  the  concrete  is  so  applied  as 
to  protect  the  centering  as  herein  specified 
for  metal  reinforcement. 

Exposed    metal    centering    or    exposed  Exposed 
metal  of  any  kind  will  not  be  considered  ^netal. 
a  factor  in  the  strength  of  any  part  of  any 
concrete  structure,  and  a  plaster  finish  ap- 
plied over  the  metal  shall  not  be  deemed  piaster 
suflficient  protection  unless  applied  of  suffi-  finish, 
cient  thickness  and  properly  secured,  as 
approved  by  the  Chief  of  the  Bureau  of 
Building  Inspection. 

All  concrete  shall  be  mixed  in  a  mechan-  Mechanical 
ical  batch  mixer  to  be  approved  by  the  Bu-  mixing, 
reau  of  Building  Inspection,  except  when 
limited  quantities  are  required  or  when  the  Hand  mixing, 
condition  of  the  work  makes  hand  mixing 
preferable;  hand  mixing  to  be  done  only  Material 
when  approved  by  the  Bureau  of  Building  to  be 
Inspection.      In  all  mixing  the  .  material  measured, 
shall  be  measured  for  each  batch. 

When  hand  mixing  is  done  under  the  Method  for 
aforesaid  limitations,  the  cement  and  fine  hand  mixing, 
gravel  or  coarse  sand  shall  be  first 
thoroughly  mixed  dry  and  then  made  into 
a  mortar  by  gradually  adding  the  proper 
amount  of  water.  The  crushed  stone  or 
gravel  shall  be  spread  out  to  a  depth  not 
to  exceed  six  inches,  in  a  tight  box  or 
upon  a  proper  floor,  and  be  sprinkled  with 
water  as  directed;  the  mortar  is  then  to 
be  evenly  spread  over  the  crushed  stone, 
and  the  whole  mass  turned  over  a  sufficient 
number  of  times,  to  effect  the  thorough 
mixing  of  the  ingredients. 


132         LAWS   RELATING    TO  BUILDINGS 


Forms  and 
centering. 


Keinforcing 
steeL 


When  fresh 
concrete 
joins  set 
concrete. 


Freezing 
weather. 


Hot 

weather. 


All  forms  and  centering*  for  concrete 
shall  be  built  pkimb  and  in  a  substantial 
manner,  made  tight  so  that  no  part  of  the 
concrete  mixture  will  leak  out  through 
cracks  or  holes,  or  joints,  and  after  com- 
pletion shall  be  thoroughly  cleaned,  remov- 
ing shavings,  chips,  pieces  of  v^ood  and 
other  material,  and  no  debris  of  any  kind 
shall  be  permitted  to  remain  in  the  forms. 
All  forms  to  be  properly  supported  and 
braced  in  a  manner  to  safely  sustain  the 
dead  load  and  the  load  that  may  be  im- 
posed upon  them  during  construction. 

The  reinforcing  steel  shall  be  accurately 
located  in  the  forms  and  secured  against 
displacement. 

Concrete  shall  be  placed  immediately  af- 
ter mixing. 

Whenever  fresh  concrete  joins  concrete 
that  is  set,  or  partially  set,  the  surface  of 
the  old  concrete  shall  be  roughened, 
cleaned  and  spread  vs^ith  cement  mortar, 
w^hich  mortar  shall  be  mixed  in  proportions 
of  one  of  cement  to  two  of  sand. 

Concrete  shall  not  be  mixed  or  deposited 
in  freezing  weather,  unless  precautions  are 
taken  to  avoid  the  use  of  materials  covered 
with  ice  or  snow  or  that  are  in  any  other 
way  unfit  for  use,  and  that  further  pre- 
cautions are  taken  to  prevent  the  concrete 
from  freezing  after  being  put  in  place.  All 
forms  under  concrete  so  placed  to  remain 
until  all  evidences  of  frost  are  absent  from 
the  concrete  and  the  natural  hardening  of 
the  concrete  has  proceeded  to  the  point  of 
safety. 

Concrete  laid  during  hot  weather  shall  be 
drenched  with  water  twice  daily,  Sunday 
included,  during  the  first  week.  The  broken 
stone,  if  hot  and  dry,  must  be  wet  before 
going  to  the  mixer. 


AND   BUILDING   INSPECTORS.  133 


The  time  at  which  props  or  shores  may  Props  or 
safely  be  removed  from  under  floors  and  shores, 
roofs  will  vary  with  the  condition  of  the  ^^^td'ooutor"'^ 
weather,  but  in  no  case  should  they  be  ing;  when 
removed  in  less  than  two  weeks;  provided,  t>e 
that  column  forms  shall  not  be  removed 
in  less  than  four  days;  provided  further, 
that    the    centering    from    the  bottom 
of    slabs   and    sides    of   beams   and  gir- 
ders may  be  removed  after  the  concrete 
has  set  one  week,  provided,  that  the  floor 
has  obtained  sufficient  hardness  to  sustain 
the  dead  weight  of  the  said  floor  and  that 
no  load  or  weight  shall  be  placed  on  any 
portion  of  the  construction  where  the  said 
centers  have  been  removed. 

The  concrete  for  all  girders,  beams,  slabs  Composition ; 
and  columns,  shall  be  mixed  in  the  pro-  proportions 
portions  of  one  of  cement,  two  of  sand  or       ^  ^ 
fine  gravel,  and  four  of  other  aggregates  as 
before  provided.    The  concrete  used  in  re- 
inforced concrete-steel  construction  must  be 
what  is  usually  known  as  a  "wet"  mixture.  Wet 
When  the  concrete  is  placed  in  water  it  ^^^ture. 
must  be  placed  in  a  semi-dry  state. 

Only  Portland  cement  shall  be  permitted  Portland 
in  reinforced  concrete  constructed  build-  cement, 
ins.    All  cement  shall  be  tested,  in  carload  tested, 
lots  when  so  delivered  or  in  quantities 
equal  to  same,  and  report  filed  with  the 
Bureau  of  Building  Inspection  before  using 
it  in  the  work.    Cement  failing  to  meet 
the  requirements  of  the  accelerated  test 
will  be  rejected. 

Soundness,  Accelerated  Test.— Pats  of  Accelerated 
neat  cement  will  be  allowed  to  harden  * 
twenty-four  hours  in  moist  air,  and  then  be 
submitted  to  the  accelerated  test  as  fol- 
lows: A  pat  is  exposed  in  any  convenient 
way  in  an  atmosphere  of  steam,  above  boil- 
ing water,  in  a  loosely-closed  vessel,  for 
three  hours,  after  which,  before  the  pat 
cools,  it  is  placed  in  the  boiling  water  for 
five  additional  hours. 


134         LAWS    RELATING    TO  BUILDINGS 


Tensile 
strength  of 
neat  cement. 


Tensile 
strength  of 
cement  and 
sand. 


Other  tests 
may  be 
ffcQuired. 


Reinforced 

concrete 

walls; 

thickness  of, 
etc. 


To  pass  the  accelerated  test  satisfactor- 
ily, the  pats  shall  remain  firm  and  hard, 
and  show  no  signs  of  cracking,  distortion 
or  disintegration. 

Such  cements,  when  tested  shall  have  a 
minimum  tensile  strength  as  follows:  Neat 
cement  shall,  after  one  da  in  moist  air, 
develop  a  tensile  strength  of  at  least  150 
poimds  per  square  inch;  and  after  one  day 
in  air  and  six  days  in  water  shall  develop 
a  tensile  strength  of  at  least  500  pounds 
per  square  inch;  and  after  one  day  in  air 
and  twentj^-seven  days  in  water  shall  de- 
velop a  tensile  strength  of  at  least  600 
pounds  per  square  inch.  Cement  and  sand 
tests  composed  of  one  part  of  cement  and 
three  parts  of  crushed  quartz  shall,  after 
one  day  in  air  and  six  days  in  water,  de- 
velop a  tensile  strength  of  at  least  175 
pounds  per  square  inch,  and  after  one  day 
in  air  and  twenty-seven  days  in  water  shall 
develop  a  tensile  strength  of  at  least  240 
pounds  per  square  inch.  These  and  other 
tests  as  to  fineness,  set,  etc.,  made  in  ac- 
cordance with  the  standard  method  pre- 
scribed by  the  American  Society  of  Civil 
Engineers,  may,  from  time  to  time,  be  re- 
quired by  the  Bureau  of  Building  Inspec- 
tion. 

Walls. — Eeinforced  concrete  may  be  used 
in  place  of  brick  and  stone  walls,  in  which 
cases  the  thickness  may  be  two-thirds  of 
that  required  for  brick  walls  as  shown  in 
the  Schedule,  Section  18  of  the  Act  of  As- 
sembly No.  123,  of  the  Commonwealth  of 
Pennsylvania,  approved  June  5,  1901,  pro- 
vided the  unit  stresses  as  set  forth  in  these 
regulations  are  not  exceeded. 

Concrete  walls  in  such  cases  must  be  re- 
inforced in  both  directions  in  a  manner  to 
meet  the  approval  of  the  Chief  of  the  Bu- 
reau of  Building  Inspection. 


AND   BUILDING  INSPECTORS. 


135 


Steel: — All  reinforcements  used  in  rein-  Reinforcc- 
forced  concrete  shall  be  of  standard  grade  "^^^^s  to  be 
of  structural  steel  or  iron  of  either  grade  grade!^^^ 
to    meet   the    "Manufacturers*  Standard 
Specifications,"  revised  February  3,  1903. 

Reinforced  concrete  slabs,  beams  and  gir-  Assimiptioiis. 
ders  shall  be  designed  in  accordance  with 
the   following   assumptions    and  require- 
ments: 

(a)  The  common  theory  of  flexure  to  be  Flexure, 
applied  to  all  beams  and  members  resist- 
ing bending. 

(b)  The  adhesion  between  the  concrete  Adhesion, 
and  the  steel  is  sufficient  to  make  the  two 
materials  act  together. 

(c)  The  design  shall  be  based  on  the  as-  LQ^d 
sumption  of  a  load  four  times  as  great  as 

the  total  load   (ordinary  dead  load  plus 
ordinary  live  load). 

(d)  The   steel  to   take   all  the   tensile  Tensile 
stresses.  stress. 

(e)  The  stress-strain  curve  of  concrete 
in  compression  is  a  straight  line. 

(f)  The  ratio  of  the  moduli  of  elasticity  Moduli  of 
of  concrete  to  steel:  elasticity. 


Stone  or  gravel  concrete  1  to  12. 

Slag  concrete   1  to  15. 

Cinder  concrete   1  to  30. 


The  allowable  unit  transverse  stress  upon  Transverse 
concrete  in  compression:  stress  in 

compression. 

Stone  or  gravel  concrete.. 600  lbs.  per  sq.  in. 

Slag  concrete   400    **     "     "  " 

Cinder  concrete  250    "     "     "  " 

The  allowable  unit  transverse  stress  in  gteel  stress 
tension:  in  tension. 

Iron   12,000  lbs.  per  sq.  in. 

Steel   16,000  "     "  ** 


13G         LAWS    RELATING    TO    35U1L  DINGS 


strength. 


Adhesive 
strength. 


Stresses  in 
direct 

compression 
in  columns. 


The  allowable  unit  shearing  strength 
upon  concrete: 

Stone  or  gravel  concrete.. 75  lbs.  per.  sq.  in. 

Slag  concrete   50     "     "     **  " 

Cinder  concrete   25     "     "    "  " 

The  allowable  unit  adhesive  strength  of 
concrete: 

Stone  or  gravel  concrete..  .50  lbs.  per.  sq.  in. 

Slag  concrete   40    "       "    "  " 

Cinder  concrete  15    "       "     "  " 

The  allowable  unit  stresses  upon  concrete 
in  direct  compression  in  columns: 
Stone  or  gravel  concrete. 500  lbs.  per.  sq.  in. 

Slag  concrete   300    "       "     "  " 

Cinder  concrete  150    "       **  ** 


Stress  upon 

hoop 

columns. 


The  allowable  unit  stress  upon  hoop 
columns  composed  of  stone  or  gravel  con- 
crete shall  not  be  over  1,000  pounds  per 
square  inch,  figuring  the  net  area  of  the 
circle  within  the  hooping.  The  percentage 
of  longitudinal  rods  and  the  spacing  of  the 
hoops  to  be  such  as  to  permit  the  concrete 
to  safely  develop  the  above  unit  stress  with 
a  factor  of  safety  of  four. 

When  steel  or  iron  is  in  the  compression 
sides  of  beams  the  proportion  of  unit 
stress  taken  by  the  steel  or  iron  shall  be 
in  the  ratio  of  the  modulus  of  elasticity  of 
the  steel  or  iron  to  the  modulus  of  elastic- 
ity of  the  concrete;  provided,  that  the  rods 
are  well  tied  with  stirrups  connecting  with 
the  lower  rods  of  the  beams;  provided, 
further,  that  when  rods  are  used  in  com- 
pression, the  approval  of  the  Chief  of  the 
Bureau  of  Building  Inspection  must  be  ob- 
tained. 

Beams  and        In  the  design  of  structures  involving  re- 
treated *as^^  inforced  concrete  beams  and  girders,  as 
T-beams.        well  as  slabs,  the  beams  and  girders  shall 
be  treated  as  T-beams,  with  a  portion  of 
th^e  slab  acting  as  flange  in  each  case.  The 
portion  of  the  slab  that  may  be  used  to 


Factor  of 
safety. 


Steel  or 
iron  in 
(compression; 
proportion 
of  stress. 


Approval  of 

Chief 

required. 


AND   BUILDING  INSPECTORS. 


137 


take  compression  shall  be  dependent  upon 
the  horizontal  shearing  stress  that  may 
exist  in  the  beam,  and  in  no  case  shall  the 
slab  portion  exceed  twenty  (20)  times  the 
thickness  of  the  slab. 

All  reinforced  concrete  T-beams  must  be  Special  rt- 
reinforced  against  the  shearing  stress  along  ![J^%^nrtfoiJ 
the  plane  of  junction  of  the  rib  and  the  beams 
flange,    using    stirrups    throughout    the  and  girders, 
length  of  the  beam.   Where  reinforced  con- 
crete   girders    carry   reinforced  concrete 
beams,  the  portion  of  the  floor  slab  acting 
as  flange  to  the  girder  must  be  reinforced 
with  bars  near  the  top,  at  right  angles  to 
the  girder,  to  enable  it  to  transmit  local 
loads  directly  to  the  girder  and  not  through 
the  beams,  thus  avoiding  an  integration  of 
compressive  stresses  due  to  simultaneous 
action  as  floor  slab  and  girder  flange. 

In  the  execution  of  work  in  the  field,  Field  work 
work  must  be  so  carried  on  that  the  ribs  monolithic, 
of  all  girders  and  beams  shall  be  mono- 
lithic with  the  floor  slabs. 

In    all    reinforced    concrete    structures  Local  and 
special  care  must  be  taken  with  the  design  secondary 
of  joints  to  provide  against  local  stresses  s^^^sses. 
and  secondary  stresses  due  to  the  contin- 
uity of  the  structures. 

Shrinkage  and  thermal  stresses  shall  be  Shrinkag'3 
provided  for  by  the  introduction  of  steel.  If^^gggl^"^^^ 

In   the  determination   of  bending  mo- 
ments due  to  the  external  forces,  beams  and  ggj^^^jj^g 
girders  shall  be  considered  as  simply  sup- moments;  no 
ported  at  the  ends,  no  allowance  being  allo^yance  for 
made  for  continuous  construction  over  sup-  ^eams^and 
ports.    Floor  slabs,  when  constructed  con-  girders, 
tinuously,  and  when  provided  with  rein- 
forcement at  top  of  slab  over  the  supports, 
may  be  treated  as  continuous  beams,  the 
bending  moment  for  uniformly  distributed 
loads  being  taken  at  not  less  'tha,n  in  floor ^slabs^ 

case  of  square  floor  slabs  which  are  rein-  moment. 


138         LAWS    RELATING    TO  BUILDINGS 


Excessive 
shear. 


Adhesion. 


Columns. 


Load  tests 
required. 


forced  in  both  directions  and  supported  on 
all  sides,  tlie  bending  moment  may  be 
taken  at  ;   provided,  that  in  floor 

slabs  in  juxtaposition  to  the  walls  of  the 
building,  the  bending  moment  shall  be  con- 
sidered as  ,  when  reinforced  in  one 

8 

direction,  and  if  the  floor  slab  is  square 
and  reinforced  in  both  directions,  the  bend- 
ing- moment  shall  be  taken  as  . 
^  16 

When  the  shearing  stresses  developed  in 
any  part  of  a  reinforced  concrete  building 
exceed  under  the  multiplied  loads  the 
shearing  strength  as  fixed  in  this  section, 
a  sufiicient  amount  of  steel  shall  be  intro- 
duced in  such  a  position  that  the  deficiency 
in  the  resistance  to  shear  is  overcome. 

When  the  safe  limit  of  adhesion  between 
the  concrete  and  steel  is  exceeded,  pro- 
vision must  be  made  for  transmitting  the 
strength  of  the  steel  to  the  concrete. 

Reinforced  concrete  may  be  used  for 
columns  in  which  the  ratio  of  the  length 
to  least  side  or  diameter  does  not  exceed 
fifteen  (15).  If  more  than  15  diameters  the 
allowable  stress  shall  be  decreased  propor- 
tionally. Eeinforcing  rods  that  are  in- 
troduced for  lateral  stresses  must  be  tied 
together  at  intervals  of  not  more  than  the 
least  side  or  diameter  of  the  columns. 

Longitudinal  rrinforcing  rods  w^il  not  be 
considered  as  taking  any  direct  compres- 
sion. 

The  contractor  must  be  prepared  to 
make  load  tests  in  any  portion  of  a  rein- 
forced concrete  building  within  a  reason- 
able time  after  erection,  and  as  often  as 
may  be  required  by  the  Chief  of  the  Bu- 
reau of  Building  Inspection.  The  tests 
must  show  that  the  construction  will  sus- 
tain a  load  equal  to  twice  the  calculated 
live  load  without  signs  of  cracks. 


AND   BUILDING  INSPECTORS. 


139 


Systems  of  construction  differing  from  Load,  fire 
the  standard  already  approved  and  tested,  and  water 
may  be  required  to  pass  a  load,  fire  and 
water  test,  as  present  in  Section  2  of  the  syst/ins. 
Act  of  Assembly,  No.  236,  of  the  Common- 
wealth of  Pennsylvania,  approved  April  25, 
1903. 

The  Chief  of  the  Bureau  of  Building  In-  Revision 
spection  may,  from  time  to  time,  issue  such  I'^ies. 
modifications  to  these  regulations  as  may 
be  found  necessary  to  conform  to  modern 
practice. 

Approved,  10-8-07. 

HENRY  CLAY, 
Director  of  the  Dept.  of 

Public  {Safety. 


RULES  AND  REGULATIONS 

Governing  the  Installation  of  Asbestos 
Theatre  Curtains,  and  Minor  Details,  in 
the  City  of  Philadelphia. 

1.  The  proscenium  wall   (between  the  Prosconium 
stage  and  the  auditorium)  shall  be  a  sub- wall  to  be 
stantial  self-supporting  masonry  or  other  ^^^1^^'^^^- 
fire-proof  wall,  with  as  few  openings  in  it 

as  possible,  and  shall  extend  from  the 
ground  up  and  through  the  highest  roof 
and  four  feet  above  same. 

2.  Any  openings,  other  than  the  prosce-piie  doors; 
nium  opening,  through  this  wall,  shall  be  to  be  self- 
protected  by  positive  acting,  self-closing,  ^^^^sing. 
fire-proof  doors  constructed  in  accordance 

with  the  requirements  of  the  Department 
of  Public  Safety;  these  doors  shall  be 
either  hinged  at  the  side  to  swing  or  run 
on  an  overhead  rail  to  slide  sideways.  If 
they  swing,  they  shall  be  made  self-closing 
by  means  of  a  heavy  weight  and  phosphor 
bronze  chain  and  pulley  arrangement,  the 
pulley  being  guarded  so  that  the  chain  can- 
not jump  off;  if  they  slide  the  overhead 


140        LAWS    RELATING    TO  BUILDINGS 


rail  shall  have  a  sharp  inclination  so  as  to 
make  them  self-closing-,  and  shall  be  ar- 
rang*ed  so  that  the  door  cannot  jump  the 
track  or  jam.  No  doors  that  slide  up  or 
down  and  no  fusible  link  arrangement  for 
holding-  doors  open  will  be  allowed.  All 
of  these  doors  shall  be  kept  free  from  locks 
or  fastenings  of  any  kind  and  shall  be  so 
that  they  can  be  opened  from  either  side 
at  any  time. 

3.  Across  the  proscenium  opening  the 
wall  shall  be  carried  up  through  the  stage 
floor  and  up  to  the  under  side  of  the  top 
flooring. 

Curtain  to  be  4.  The  proscenium  curtain  shall  be  com- 
asbestos.  posed  of  asbestos  of  long,  tough,  flexible 
fibre,  twisted  and  wrapped  upon  substan- 
tial brass  wire  thread,  and  woven  into  a 
close  even  cloth,  three  (3)  feet  wide.  The 
strips  to  be  lapped  not  less  than  an  inch 
and  sewed  with  two  lines  of  asbestos  and 
brass  wire  thread  stitching.  All  strips 
shall  be  in  one  continuous  length  the  full 
height  of  the  curtain.  There  shall  be  at 
least  four  (4)  laps  of  the  cloth  at  the  top 
and  at  the  bottom  of  the  curtain  to  form 
pockets  for  the  top  and  bottom  bars,  the 
laps  to  have  at  least  three  (3)  lines  of  the 
above  mentioned  stitching.  The  curtain 
shall  be  lapped  on  the  sides  of  a  sufficient 
width  to  form  a  continuous  reinforcement 
for  the  guide  clips,  and  be  stitched  in  a 
proper  manner. 

The  curtain  shall  be  at  least  thirty-six 
(36)  inches  wider  than  the  proscenium 
masonry  opening  and  at  least  two  (2)  feet 
higher  than  the  highest  point  of  the  pro- 
scenium arch.  It  shall  have  wrought  iron 
or  rolled  steel  top  and  bottom  bars- pro- 
portional in  size  to  the  width  of  the  cur- 
tain, but  not  less  than  one  (1)  inch  by 
two  and  one-half  (2yi)  inches.  The  top 
and  bottom  bars  shall  be  connected  by 


Width  of 
curtain. 


How 

constructed. 


AND   BUILDING   INSPECTORS.  IIJ 


four  (4)  steel  wire  cables  3-16  inch  diame- 
ter to  support  the  weig-ht  of  the  bottom 
bar.  The  curtain  guide  clips  at  the  sides 
shall  be  constructed  of  substantial  bent 
brass  attached  to  the  curtain  and  encir- 
cling lignum-vitae  blocks  which  in  turn  en- 
circle the  standing  cables.  Where  the  clips 
are  attached  to  the  curtain,  the  curtain 
shall  be  reinforced^  both  sides,  with  pieces 
of  sheet  metal  riveted  to  it.  The  guide 
clips  shall  be  spaced  not  over  18  inches  cen- 
ter to  center.  The  standing  cables  shall 
be  of  steel  %  inch  diameter  with  their 
upper  ends  attached  to  wrought  iron 
brackets  fastened  to  the  proscenium  wall 
at  a  line  at  least  twice  the  height  of  the 
curtain  plus  5  feet  above  the  level  of  the 
stage.  The  standing  cables  shall  pass 
through  metal  bushed  holes  in  the  stage 
floor,  and  have  suspended  from  their  low- 
er ends,  weights  of  sufficient  size  to  keep 
them  taut.  The  curtain  shall  be  supported 
by  steel  lifting  cables,  one  at  each  end,  ^}^.^^^ 
and  one  at  intermediate  points  not  over 
ten  (10)  feet  apart.  These  cables  shall  be 
l^  inch  diameter  and  shall  be  attached  to 
drums  keyed  fast  to  a  heavy  rolled  steel 
operating  shaft.  The  operating  shaft  shall 
run  in  machined  and  self-lubricating  jour- 
nals, one  on  each  side  of  each  drum  and 
one  at  each  end.  The  journals  shall  rest 
on  substantial  fire-proof  supports.  The 
curtain  shall  be  balanced  by  a  counter-  Counter- 
weight only  to  such  an  extent  that  when  weight, 
it  is  tripped  it  shall  descend  in  15  seconds. 
The  manner  of  tripping  the  curtain  shall  Tripping 
be  by  means  of  5-16  inch  steel  cables,  one  d^'vice. 
on  each  side  of  the  curtain;  these,  when- 
ever pulled,  shall  release  the  curtain  and 
allow  it  to  descend.  The  trip  cables  shall 
run  from  the  stage  level  up  along  each 
side  of  the  curtain  and  pass  over  the  grid- 
iron to  the  releasing  clutch  on  the  ^P®^^^"  p  j^^^  ^o-euc 
Ing  shaft;  they  shall  be  placed  in  such  a  chains.^^* 


142         LAWS    RIXAT1.\G    TO  BUILDINGS 


manner  that  they  can  be  operated  from 
the  stage  level,  fly-galleries  and  gridiron 
at  any  time^  and  the  apparatus  must  be  so 
that  the  curtain  will  be  positively  self- 
descending.  There  shall  be  attached  to 
the  top  bar  of  the  curtain  substantial 
emergency  chains,  of  three  eighths  (%) 
inch  w^rought  iron,  spaced  midway  between 
the  lifting  cables  and  securely  fastened  at 
their  upper  ends  to  eye-bolts  through  the 
proscenium  wall  at  proper  height.  The 
Guides.  curtain    shall    operate    in    guides,  bolted 

every  two  (2)  feet,  with  not  less  than  ^ 
inch  bolts  through  the  proscenium  wall; 
these  guides  shall  run  from  the  stage  level 
to  a  height  of  twice  the  height  of  the  cur- 
tain plus  5  feet,  and  shall  be  constructed, 
each  of  one  8  inch  by  6  inch  by  l^  inch 
angle  and  one  3  inch  by  3  inch  by  inch 
angle,  or  equivalent  section,  riveted  to- 
gether to  form  a  Z  bar.  All  apparatus 
connected  with  the  curtain  or  its  opera- 
tion shall  be  of  metal;  where  anything  is 
secured  to  parts  of  the  building  these  parts 
shall  be  substantial  and  incombustible,  and 
all  curtain  connections  shall  be  secure  and 
fire-proof.  Any  paint  used  on  the  curtain 
shall  be  incombustible.  No  flaps  or  doors 
of  any  kind  shall  be  allowed  in  the  cur- 
tain, and  the  curtain  and  its  apparatus 
shall  be  maintained  in  perfect  repair  and 
working  order  at  all  times.  The  curtain 
Curtain  to  be  operated  at  least  once  during  each 

operated  performance,  not  counting  the  raising  at 
during  per-  the  beginning  and  the  lowering  at  the 
formance.       ^^d  of  the  performance. 

Border  5.     The  border  decorations  around  the 

decorations,  proscenium  opening  at  least  as  far  as  12 
inches  from  the  curtain,  shall  be  fire- 
proofed.  No  hanging  curtains  that  are 
not  fire-proofed  shall  be  placed  on  the 
auditorium  side  of  the  proscenium  opening, 
or  in  any  case  nearer  than  10  inches  to  the 
asbestos  curtain. 


AND   BUILDING   INSPECTORS.  143 


6.  The  vertical  border  lig-hts  at  the  pro-  Border 
scenium  shall  be  located  inside  the  asbes-  lights, 
tos  curtain  and  in  substantial  metal  re- 
ceptacles, and  shall  be  permanently  fixed 

in  position.  Hinged  or  movable  border 
lights  v^ill  not  be  allowed  under  any  cir- 
cumstances, and  the  receptacle  for  the  bor- 
der lights  shall  be  absolutely  clear  in  every 
v^ay  from  any  possible  contact  with  the 
curtain. 

7.  Every  stage  shall  have  a  skylight  Skyii^-ht 
over  it  at  least  one-eighth  (i/g)  the  a^^^^  rJ(^jii^ea 
of  the  stage,  and  built  in  accordance  with 

the  requirements  of  the  present  building 
laws  for  new  theatres. 

8.  All  stage-scenery,  woodwork,  cur-  Fircpioofing. 
tains  or  decorations  shall  be  fire-proof,  or 

shall  be  treated  with  some  approved  non- 
combustible  material^  so  as  to  render  them 
safe  against  any  rapid  spread  of  fire,  and 
shall  be  constantly  maintained  to  the  sat- 
isfaction of  the  Department  of  Public 
Safety.    This  applies  to  visiting  companies 

or  shows,  as  well  as  local  companies.  „    .  , 

Sprinklers 

9.  A   system   of  sprinklers,  to  be   ap-over  stage, 
proved  by  the  Department  of  Public  Safety, 

shall  be  erected  and  maintained  all 
over  the  stage  portion  of  the  building,  in- 
cluding the  rigging-loft,  fly  galleries,  cellar 
under  stage,  dressing  rooms,  shops,  prop- 
erty-rooms, storage-rooms  and  over  the 
proscenium  arch;  and  also  if  there  is  a 
cellar  under  any  portion  of  the  building 
besides  the  stage,  this  must  be  provided 
with  sprinklers  as  aforesaid.  Cellar  to  be 

10.  The  cellar  under  the  stage  and        kept  clean, 
der  any  other  part  of  the  building  shall 

be  kept  clean  and  free  from  non-fire-proof 
material. 


144         LAWS    RELATING    TO    BUI  [  DINGS 


AN  ORDINANCE 


Fee. 


Regulating-  the  construction  of  reviewing 
stands. 

Section  1.  The  Select  and  Common  Coun- 
cils of  the  City  of  Philadelphia  do  ordain, 
That  hereafter  any  person  or  persons, 
firms  or  corporations,  who  desire  to  erect 
any  stand  for  the  purpose  of  reviewing- 
any  parade,  procession^  or  festivity  of  any 
Permit  kind  whatsoever,  shall  first  obtain  permis- 

required.  sion  so  to  do  from  the  Director  of  the 
Department  of  Public  Safety.  Lpon  said 
permission  being  granted  to  the  said  per- 
son or  persons,  firms  or  corporations,  they 
shall  make  application  to  the  Bureau  of 
Building  Inspection  of  the  Department  of 
Public  Safety  for  permit  to  erect  the  said 
stand,  the  fee  for  the  inspection  of  which 
shall  be  two  (2)  dollars  for  a  stand  of  a 
superficial  area  of  five  hundred  (500)  feet 
or  lesSj  and  the  further  sum  of  one  ((1) 
dollar  for  ea.ch  additional  five  himdred 
(500)  feet  or  fraction  thereof^  superficial 
area.  All  such  stands  must  be  erected  in 
conformity  with  the  conditions  and  reg- 
ulations established  by  the  said  Bureau  of 
Building  Inspection.  The  Director  of  the 
Department  of  Public  Safety  shall  have  the 
right  to  prohibit  the  use  of  and  revoke 
the  permit  for  the  erection  of  any  stand 
upon  report  from  the  Chief  of  the  Bureau 
of  Building  Inspection  that  any  of  the 
conditions  or  regulations  of  the  said  Bu- 
reau of  Building  Inspection  have  been 
violated. 

Penalty.  Sect.  2.   Any  person  or  persons,  firms  or 

corporations,  whether  owner,  builder  or 
contractor,  who  shall  erect  any  stand  for 
reviewing  purposes  without  permit  there- 
for first  issued  or  in  violation  of  any  of 
the  provisions  of  this  ordinance,  or  who 


Permit  may- 
be revoked. 


AND   BUILDING   INSPECTORS.  145 

shall  become  the  owner  thereof  after  the 
same  has  been  so  done,  and  who  shall 
omit,  neglect^  or  refuse  to  remove  or  make 
the  said  stand  conform  in  all  respects  to 
the  requirements  of  this  rmlinance  imme- 
diately upon  notice  to  that  effect  from  the 
Bureau  of  Building  InsiDCction  shall  for- 
feit and  pay  for  such  offence  the  sum  of 
seventy-five  (75)  dollars,  the  said  penalty 
to  be  recovered  as  penalties  of  equal 
amount  are  or  shall  be  recoverable  in  the 
name  of  and  for  the  use  of  the  City,  and 
when  collected  shall  be  paid  into  the  treas- 
ury thereof. 

Sect.  3.  All  ordinances  or  parts  of  ordi-  Repealer, 
nances  inconsistent  herewith  be  and  the 
same  are  hereby  repealed. 

Approved  the  seventeenth  day  of  Octo- 
ber, A.  D.  1898. 

CHAS.  F.  WARWICK, 
Mayor  of  Philadelphia. 


1  N  DEX. 


A 

Affidavits   4 

Ag-gregate,  reinforced  concrete   130 

Anchors,  tie   14 

Appeals  from  Inspector's  decisions  5,  6 

from  tenement  house  orders   75 

to  Director  of  Public  Safety   6 

Appointments  in  Bureau  of  Building  Inspection  1 

Arch  Street,  revised  lines  of   97 

Arches,  floor,  maximum  span   62 

over  w^indow^s  and  doors   26 

trimmer    20 

Areas  or  Areaways  37,  38,  82,  90 

floor,  for  flre  v^alls  in  First-class  buildings  59 
in  Second  and  Third-class  buildings.  63 

floor,  for  tovv^er  fire-escapes    69 

ASBESTOS  THEATER  CURTAINS  139  t  )  143 

construction   140  to  142 

cables    141 

emergency  chains    141 

guides    142 

tripping  device   141 

v^idth   140 

to  be  operated  during  performances   142 

Ashlars    17 

Assumptions  in  designing  reinforced  concrete..  135 
Automatic  sprinklers  in  First-class  buildings...  60 
in  theaters   52  and  143 

B 

Base  course  or  footings  under  walls  8,  9 

Basement,  egress  to  street   70 

Bath-rooms,  frame    36 

Battered  w^alls   10 

Battlement  w^alls,  dwellings   18 

First,  Second  and  Third-class  buildings. 63,  64 

theaters  42  to  44,  139 


148 


INDEX. 


Bay-windows   81,  S2 

Beams  under  columns    31 

BEAINIS  AND  GIRDERS,  wood,  to  support  floors  13 

distance  from  flues   23 

iron  or  steel,  as  lintels  27,  28 

to  support  floors  and  walls   31 

covered  above  third  floor  95  and  96 

connections   31,  32 

deflection    30 

flreproof  protection  35,  60  to  62 

how  bedded   35  and  61 

thickness    61 

riveted  work   31 

web  to  have  stilfeners   31 

reinforced  concrete  133,  136,  137 

Bending  moment,  reinforced  concrete   137 

Blocks,   hollow  concrete  building-   (see  hollow 

concrete  building-  blocks)   120-  129 

Board  of  Appeal    6 

Surveyors  as  fence  viewers  75  to  77 

Inspectors  as  fence  viewers   78 

Boilers,  steam    22 

Bond  of  Inspectors    2 

Bond  timbers    23 

Bottom  floor  of  shafts   65 

Bracing-,  wind   33 

Brick  and  brickwork  14  to  18 

pressure  on    29 

BRICK  WALLS,   business,   manufacturing  and 

i:)ublic  buildings,  minimum  thickness  11,  12 

dwellings,  etc  17,  18 

foundation,  dwellings,  etc  9,  10 

below  curb  level   15 

curtain,  minimum  thickness  13  and  34 

hollow  bearing    14 

non-bearing    12 

old,  increase  in  height  ,   16 

partition   13,  59,  63 

stairs,  elevator  shafts,  etc....  13,  26,  64,  65,  73 

thickness,  increase  in   13 

Bridging  of  joists   24 

BUILDINGS  must  conform  to  application  and 

plans    4 

flreproof,  defined  35,  58,  60',  61 


INDEX.  149 

Biiildiiig-s,  First-class  (see  First-class  biiiklings; 

see  p.  35)    58 

which  shall  be  of  the  First  class   59 

Fourth-class  (see  Fourth-class  buildings).  59 

frame,  on  farm  land    79 

in  rural  districts  7,  82  to  84 

height  limit   59 

height  defined    70 

over  26  feet  clear  span   13 

public  entertainment   (see  theaters;  see 

First-class  buildings)   38  to  55 

requiring  iron  fire-escapes    102 

requiring  tower  fire-escapes  26,  68,  69,  73 

requiring  tower  stairways   28  and  64 

requiring  rope  and  chain  escapes,  etc   106 

Second-class  (see  Second-class  buildings) 

 58  and  60 

Third-class  (see  Third-class  buildings)   58 

walls,  outside,  to  be  of  non-combustible 

materials  (see  proviso)    7 

Building  blocks,  hollow  concrete    (see  hollow 

concrete  building  blocks)   120  to  129 

BUILDING  MATERIALS,  new,  to  be  tested. 116  to  120 

approval    120 

modulus  of  rupture   119 

requirements  to  be  met  117  to  119 

test  pieces    117 

tests  required   116  to  119 

on  streets,  permit  required    93 

Bulkheads    25 

Bulk  windows   81,  82 

BUSINESS,   MANUFACTURING   AND  PUBLIC 
BUILDINGS. 

(see  also  First,  Second,  and  Third-class 
buildings,  tenements,  and  theaters.) 

bulkheads   25 

bulk  windows   81,  82 

ceilings   68 

egress,  basement  to  street    70 

elevators,  passengers    67 

fire-escapes,  iron  required    102 

rope  and  chain  required  106,  107 

tower  required   26,  68,  69,  73 

floor  supports    13 


150 


INDEX. 


BUSINESS,   MANUFACTURING   AND  PUBLIC 


BUILDINGS— Continued. 

floors,  fireproof   35,  61 

floors  and  roofs,  carrying-  capacity    28 

floors,  carrying  capacity  to  be  posted   30 

g-uards,  gates  or  trap-doors  to  shafts   65 

height  limit    59 

height  defined    70 

joists   23,  24 

light  wells  of  iron  or  steel    13 

mortar  in  foundations   15 

plastering    68 

red  lights,  gongs  and  notices   108 

scuttles    25 

shafts   64  to  66 

stairways   26,  64,  65,  73 

stairways,  tower   26,  64 

stories,  maximum  height    13 

walls,  battlement   63,  64 

brick,  minimum  thickness  11,  12 

increased  thickness   13 

curtain   13,  34 

foundation   9,  10 

hollow  bearing    14 

non-bearing    12 

partition,  brick,  under  floors   13 

fireproof  59,  63 

party   11,  12,  64 

stairs,  elevator  shafts,  etc..  13,  64,  65,  73 

Bureau  of  Building  Inspection  established   1 

appeal  from  decisions  of   5 

approval  of  plans  of  theaters   38 

oflicers   1 

to  be  fence  viewers   78 

Bureau  of  Fire  to  approve  plans  of  theaters.  ...  38 

to  control  fire  apparatus  in  theaters   53 

C 

Caissons   7,  8 

Carrying  capacity  of  floors  and  roofs   28 

Ceilings  in  business,  etc.,  buildings   68 

Cellar  doors    90 

walls  of  dwellings  9,  10 

of  other  buildings  8,  9,  10 


INDEX. 


151 


Cellars,  extent  and  ventilation   19 

Cement  mortar,  composition    11 

and  lime  mortar,  composition   11 

Certificate,  iron  fire-escapes    104 

rope  and  chain  escapes   108 

C  hestnut  Street,  revised  lines  of   97 

Chief    Building'    Inspector,    qualifications  and 

duties   1,  2 

authority  to  order  changes  4  and  18 

CHIMNEYS,  construction   19  and  20 

dangerous    20 

of  frame  buildings   84 

Church  spires   62 

Churches,  frame    80 

Classification  of  buildings    58 

Coal  sheds  37  and  81 

COLUMNS,  base   33  and  62 

beams  under    34 

compression  figures  to   be  reduced  (see 

Formula  p.  115)    30 

drilled  for  inspection    34 

fireproof   35,  60  to  62 

footings  and  foundations  under   34 

girders,  etc.,  reduction  in  live  load  on   116 

length,  maximum    33 

splices  to    32 

vertical  loads  and  stresses   32 

v^ind  bracing    33 

reinforced  concrete,  hoop    136 

length    138 

Commission,  examining,  decision  final    7 

Composition  of  hollow^  concrete  building  blocks 

120,  121 

of  reinforced  concrete    133 

Compressive  strength,  ultimate,  of  hollow  con- 
crete building  blocks   128 

of  new^  building  materials   119 

Concrete,   footings   and   foundations,  composi- 
tion  9  and  11 

pressure  on    29 

reinforced  (see  reinforced  concrete)  .129  to  139 

and  steel  rail  footings   8  and  9 

or  heterogeneous  floor  systems    62 


152 


INDEX. 


Concrete  building-  blocks,  hollow    (see  hollow 

concrete  building-  blocks)   120  to  129 

Conductors,  rain  or  water   24 

Connections  in  iron  and  steel  construction   32 

Cornices   25  and  26 

Costs  incurred  by  City,  how  collected    56 

Councils  may  limit  height  of  buildings   55 

may  regulate  frame  buildings    7 

may  regulate  frame  sheds    37 

may  regulate  permit  fees.   55 

may  regulate  inspection  of  elevator  hoist- 
ways,  etc   55 

Court  of  Common  Pleas  may  issue  injunction. . .  55 

may  impose  fine    57 

Sheril¥  to  execute  orders   55  and  56 

Curtain  walls,  minimum  thickness  13  and  34 

Curtains,  asbestos  theater,  (see  asbestos  theater 

curtains)    .  .  .*  139  to  143 


D 


Decision  of  Board  of  Appeals  final    6 

of  Examining  Commission  final   7 

of  an  Inspector  final   6 

Deflection  allowable  for  beams  and  girders   30 

Deputy  Chief    3 

District,  frame  (see  Frame  District),  78,  79  &  85-  87 

Division  walls,  openings  in    63 

Door  and  window  openings,  supports  over   26 

Dormer  windows    24c 

DWELLINGS,  baths,  frame    36 

Bay-windows   81,  82 

cellars    19 

exits  to  roof    25 

frame   82  to  S4 

floors,  carrying  capacity    28 

joists   23,  24 

mansard  roof    18 

mortar  in  foundations    10 

roofs,  carrying  capacity    28 

exits  to    25 

mansard    18 

scuttles    25 

sheds,  frame   36,  37 


INDEX. 


153 


Dwelling-s,  walls,  battlement,   18 

brick,  minimum  thickness  17,  IS 

to  be  squared  up   18 

increase  in  heig*ht  16,  17 

foundation,  minimum  thickness. . .  .9,  10 

stone,  how  laid    10 

party,  minimum  thickness    18 

stone,  how  laid   10 

width,  minimum  (proviso)    18 

yard  space,  minimum   I'J 


Ducts,  separate  fireproof,  for  pipes,  conduits,  etc.  6:^ 


E 


E.g'ress  from  basement    70 

Elevator  and  other  shafts,  enclosures  to..  13,  64,  66 

roofs  over    65 

hoistways.  Councils  may  reg-ulate  inspec- 
tion   55 

Elevators,  passenger    67 

for  grain  storage  37,  62,  81 

Enclosure  w^alls  13,  64,  66 

Encroachment  over  party  lines   93 

Engines,  steam    90 

Examination  of  buildings   3  and  15 

party  and  division  walls  3  and  15 

Examining  Commission   6,  7  and  55 

Etxcavations  and  vacant  lots  to  be  fenced. . .  .100,  101 

Exits  to  roofs    25 

to  street  from  basement   70 

Exterior  window  sills   27 


F 


Facings  of  stone    17 

Factor  of  safety  for  building  material   30 

reinforced  concrete   135,  136 

Factories  (see  business,  etc.,  buildings)  

Farm  buildings    79 

FEES  for  fire-escape  permits   105 

for  reviewing  stands   144 

for  all  other  permits  88,  89 

Councils  may  regulate   55 

Fence  Views   75,  76 


154 


INDEX. 


FEXCES  around  excavations  and  vacant  lots.lOO,  101 

beyond  building  line   82  and  90 

partition    7G 

minimum  height    76 

maximum  height    82 

neglect  to  build   77 

repairs    78 

Fine  for  non-compliance    w^ith    building  laws 

 57,  87,  91,  145 

fire-escape  laws  104,  106,  108 

FIRE-ESCAPES,  iron,  certificate  for   104 

formula  for   109-  113 

inspection  and  location    105 

required    102 

to  be  tested  103,  104 

penalty  for  neglect  to  erect   104 

violation    106 

rope  and  chain,  certificate  for   108 

required   106,  107 

penalty  for  neglect  to  provide. .  .108,  109 

tower  26,  68,  69  and  73 

formula   113,  114 

Fire  Marshal  to  test  fire-escapes  103,  104 

Fire-place  openings   20;  21 

Fireproof  buildings  defined  (see  130)  . .  .35,  58,  60',  61 

floors,  maximum  span  of  arches   62 

test   35,  61,  62 

walls  or  partitions  59,  63,  64 

openings  in   .60,  64 

fire-doors   60 

fire-doors  and  shutters,  standard...  67 
l^^reproofing   of   beams,   girders   and  columns 

 35,  60  to  62 

reinforced  concrete    130 

Pire  walls  in  First-class  buildings   59 

in  theaters   42-44,  139,  140 

FIRST-CLASS  BUILDINGS  defined  (see  130)... 

 58,  60,  61 

columns,  base    62 

ducts,  separate  fireproof,  for  pipes,  etc...  62 

egress  from  basement  to  street   70 

fire-escapes,  iron,  required    102 

rope  and  chain,  required  106,  107 

tower  (see  also  p.  26,  73)   68,  69 


INDEX.  155 

First-class  building's,  floors,  fireproof,  maximum 

spans   62 

test  (see  35)   61,  62 

hallways  and  stairways  to  be  lig-hted   107 

shafts  and  enclosures  64-  66 

bottom  floor  of    65 

roof  over    65 

trap-doors,  in  lieu  of  65,  66 

sprinklers,  automatic    60 

stairways  and  enclosures  (see  pp.  13,  26, 

73)   64,  65 

steel  work,  fireproof  60  to  62 

trap-doors  in  lieu  of  shafts  65,  66 

red  lig-hts,  g*ongs  and  notices   108 

walls,  battlement    64 

brick  11,  12 

foundation   9,  10 

partition,  fireproof    59 

party    64 

skeleton    63 

wood  allowed    61 

what  building's  shall  be  of  the  First  class.  59 
FLOOR   AREAS    for    fire-walls    in  First-class 

building's    59 

in  Second  and  Third-class  building's.  63 

for  tower  fire-escapes    69 

Floor  joists  23,  24 

to  be  doubled     23 

FLOORS,  carrying  capacity   28 

to  be  posted    30 

fireproof  and  test  35,  61,  62 

maximum  span  of  arche«   62 

reinforced  concrete   130,  137 

FLUES,  how  built   19,  20 

hot-air   22,  2'^ 

range  and  boiler   2') 

smoke,  of  heaters   21 

terra-cotta  lining   19,  20 

Forms  and  centering,  reinforced  v^oncrete   132 

when  may  be  removed    133 

FORMULAS,  for  steel  and  iron  columns   115 

for  wood  posts  and  columns   115 

for  allowable  reduction  in  live  loads  on 

columns,  girders,  etc   116 


156 


INDEX. 


Formulas  for  bending  moments  in  reinforced 


concrete  floor  slabs  137,  138 

for  iron  fire-escapes  109  to  113 

for  tower  fire-escapes  113,  Hi 

Footing  or  base  course   8,  9 

load  limits  on  soil   8 

FOUNDATION  WALLS,  depth,  minimum   7 

dwellings,  etc.,  minimum  thickness  9,  10 

frame  dwellings    83 

footing  or  base  course  8,  0 

load  limits  on  soil    8 

mortar  for  dwellings    10 

for  other  buildings    11 

not  to  be  above  curb  level   11 

not  to  be  laid  on  organic  matter   8 

on  piles  or  caissons   7 

FOUNOATIONS  under  columns   34 

load  limits  on  soil    S 

FOURTH-CLASS  BUILDINGS  defined    59 

height  limit    59 

height  defined    70 

Frame  bath-rooms   36 

FRAME  BUILDINGS  on  farm  land   79 

in  rural  districts  regulated  by  Councils. .  7 

churches    80 

dwellings  82  to  84 

enlarging  or  removing   80 

FRAME  DISTRICT,  1st  ward  (now  39th  ward) . .  78 

21st    ward  79,  86,  87 

22nd  ward  (now  42nd  ward)   79 

23rd  ward   85 

25th  ward  (now  45th  ward)    85 

27th  ward  (now  40th  ward)    79 

35th  ward  (now  35th  and  41st  wards).. 79,  85 

Frame  dwellings  82  to  84 

FRAME  SHEDS,  coal  37,  81 

dwellings   36,  37 

lumber   37,  81 

shelter   37,  84 

temporary,  while  building   36 

wharf   37,  81 

permit  for  may  be  revoked   37 

Furnaces   21  to  23 

permit  required   22,  23 


INDEX.  157 

G 

Gates  to  shafts    05 

Girders,  colurans,  etc.,  reduction  in  live  load  on 

(see  also  beams  and  g-irders)    1  iO 

Gong-s    108 

Grain  elevators  37,  {)2,  81 

Grate  openings,  jambs  of    20 

Guards,  gates  or  trap-doors  to  shafts    65 

Gutters,  roof   25,  26 

H 

Headers  through  walls    10 

Hearths    20 

Heaters   21  to  2o 

permit  required  23,  88 

HEIGHT  of  buildings.  Councils  may  regulate...  55 

limit    59 

defined    70 

maximum,  of  stories   13 

of  walls  increased    16 

of  partition  fences   76,  82 

Hoistways  and  shafts,  enclosures  64,  66 

HOLLOW  COlSrCRETE  BUILDING  BLOOKS.120  to  129 

composition   ...120,  121 

age  of  blocks    122 

approval    123 

blocks  to  be  solid  under  concentrated  loads  122 

compressive  strength,  ultimate   123 

hollow  space,  percentage  of    121 

lintels    123 

modulus  of  rupture   126,  128 

piers  and  buttresses   122 

sills    123 

specifications  governing  tests   121  to  129 

tests  of  cement  used    121 

tests  on  blocks  and  requirements  of  .125  to  129 

tests,  manner  of  making   126,  127 

walls,  how  laid   121 

maximum  load   122 

not  to  be  used  in  party  walls   121 

Hollow  bearing  walls,  brick    14 


158  INDEX. 

Hoop  columns,  reinforced  concrete   136 

Hot-air  flues   22,  23 

registers    22 

I 

Inspectors,  qualifications  and  g-eneral  duties   1 

may  order  changes  4,  18 

decision  final    6 

to  examine  party  walls   15 

Injunction,  Court  of  Common  Pleas   55 

if  not  complied  with   55 

\R0^   AND   STEEL  construction    (see  beams, 

girders  and  columns)   31  to  35 

trusses    13 

work  to  be  cleaned  and  painted   34 

J 

JOISTS   23,  24 

spacing  of    24 

covered  above  third  floor  while  building.  95,  96 

thickness    23 

L 

Ladders  to  scuttles  and  bulkheads   25 

Lanterns  on  building  material  and  at  excava- 
tions   95 

Length,  maximum,  of  columns   33 

Lien    56 

.flight  and  air  shafts  in  tenements    72 

in  other  buildings   64 

Light  wells  of  iron  or  steel   13 

Lig-hts  of  wired  glass   64,  67 

Lime  boxes  on  asphalt  streets   95 

Lime  and  cement  mortar,  composition    11 

Lime  mortar,  composition   10 

Limit,  height  of  buildings,  by  Councils   55 

of  height  of  buildings    59 

heig'ht  defined    70 

Lining  (reinforcement)  of  brick  walls   16 

terra-cotta,  of  flues   19,  20 

Lintels,  stone,  iron  and  wood  26,  27 

hollow  concrete  blocks    123 


INDEX. 


159 


LOAD  LIMITS  on  piles  or  caissons   8 

on  soil    8 

on    walls    of   hollow   concrete  building 

blocks   122 

Load  test  for  fireproof  floors  35,  61 

Location  of  fire-escapes    105 

LOTS,  encroachment  of  party  walls   93 

minimum  width  for  dwellings    18 

vacant,  to  be  fenced  100,  101 

Lumber  sheds   37,  81 

M 

Mansard  roofs   18 

Manufactories  (see  business,  mfg.,  etc.,  build- 
ings)   

Manure  pits    92 

Masonry,  pressure  on    29 

Materials,  new  building,  to  be  tested  (see  build- 
ing materials,  new)   116  to  120 

strength  of,  how  to  ascertain   30 

Mechanics'  frame  sheds    36 

Metal  centering,  reinforced  concrete   131 

Mills  (see  business,  mfg.,  etc.,  buildings)   

Mixing  of  concrete    131 

Modulus  of  elasticity,  concrete  to  steel   135 

of    rupture,    hollow    concrete  building 

blocks   126,  128 

new  building  material   119 

Monolithic  field  work,  reinforced  concrete   137 

MORTAR,  cement,  composition   11 

cement  and  lime,  composition   11 

lime,  composition    10 

beds  on  asphalt  streets   95 


N 

New  building  materials  to  be  tested  (see  build- 
ing materials,  new)  116  to  120 

Non-bearing  walls    12 

Notice  of  appeal,  how  given   5 

of  change  from  plans   4 

to  persons  affected  by  contemplated  work  4 
6 


160 


INDEX, 


o 

Oath  of  office    2 

Observation  towers    62 

Officers  of  Bureau    i 

Old  party  walls  16,  17 

Open  space  between  frame  buildings   83 

to  tenements    71 

Open  yard  space  to  dwellings   19 

Openings  for  doors  and  windows,  supports  over.  2G 

Ordinary  repairs   o 

Oriel  windows  81,  82 

Outside  fire-escapes  (see  fire-escapes,  iron)  

P 

Partition  fences  (see  fences,  partition)  75  to  78 

walls  13,  59,  63 

Partitions    68 

stud   23 

Party  line,  encroachment  over    93 

PARTY  WALLS,  dwellings,  etc.,  minimum  thick- 
ness  17,  18 

other  buildings,  minimum  thickness. .  .11,  12,  64 

defective  or  insufficient   15 

encroachment  of   93 

examined  by  Inspectors    15 

frame  buildings   83 

old,  may  be  used   16,  17 

lining  (reinforcement)    16 

increase  in  height  16,  17 

built  solid  (proviso)   18 

to  extend  above  roof  18,  64 

Passenger  elevators    67 

PENALTY  for  violation  of  building  law.57,  87,  91,  145 

fire-escape  law   106 

for  neglect  to  erect  fire-escapes   104 

provide  ropes  and  chains   108 

PERMITS,  application  for    3 

granted  or  refused  in  fifteen  days   5 

expiration  of    5 

provisional   4 

required  for  buildings  and  alterations.3,  88,  89 

to  tear  down   88 


INDEX. 


161 


Permits  required  for  frame  buildings    84 

for  fire-escapes    105 

for  fence  views   78,  89 

for  furnaces    22 

for  heaters  23,  88 

for  reviewing  stands    144 

for  sheds   84,  88 

for  steam  boilers  22,  89 

for  placing  material  on  street   93 

not  required  for  ordinary  repairs  (proviso)  5 

for  sheds  may  be  revoked   37 

fees  (see  fees). 

Piers  and  buttresses   15 

of  hollow  concrete  building  blocks   122 

Piles   7 

Pipes,  conduits,  etc.,  in  First-class  buildings   62 

smoke    21 

Pits,  manure    92 

Planking  and  sheathing  of  roofs  24,  58,  63 

PLANS  AND  SPECIFICATIONS  to  be  filed   4 

duplicate  set  to  be  kept  at  building   4 

may  be  changed  by  Chief  or  Inspectors. . .  4 

notice  of  change  to  be  given  4,  5 

Plastering  of  partitions  of  business,  etc.,  build- 
ings  68 

Platform  over  sidewalk   94 

Porches   90,  91 

Posts  and  columns,  wood,  formula  for   115 

Power  boilers   22 

Powers  of  Councils   7,  37,  55 

of  Sheriff    56 

PRESSURE  on  concrete,  brick  and  masonry   29 

on  hollow  concrete  blocks    128 

on  soil    8 

wind  32,  33 

Privy  wells  and  vaults   92 

Props  and  shores,  reinforced  concrete  work   133 

Public  buildings  (see  theaters;  First-class  build- 
ings; and  business  buildings). 

R 

Railings  beyond  building  line    90 

Rain  conductors    24 


162  INDEX. 

Rang-es    21 

Recesses  in  walls    17 

Red  lig-hts   108 

Registers,  hot-air    22 

REINFORCED  CONCRETE  (see  also  concrete  or 

heterogeneous  systems,  62)   129  to  139 

term  defined    129 

aggregate    130 

assumptions  in  designing  members   135 

adhesion,  safe  limit    138 

beams  and  girders,  composition   133 

treated  as  T-beams   136,  137 

bending  moment    137 

and  slabs,  formula   137,  138 

bending  moment,  beams  and  girders   137 

slabs,  formula   137,  138 

between  rolled  steel  beams   130 

columns,  composition    133 

ratio  of  length  to  thickness   138 

hoop    138 

exposed  metal    131 

factor  of  safety  135,  136 

fireproofing,  thickness  of   130 

flooring    130 

floor  slabs  treated  as  continuous  beams..  137 

forms  and  centering    132 

when  may  be  removed   133 

hoop  columns    130 

metal  centering   131 

mixing    131 

wet  mixture    133 

modulus  of  elasticity,  concrete  to  steel...  135 

monolithic  field  work   137 

placing  of  concrete    132 

under  competent  supervision   130 

props  and  shores,  when  may  be  removed.  133 

reinforcing  steel   132,  135 

of  walls   134 

revision  of  rules   139 

slabs,  composition    133 

ratio  of  area  to  thickness  in  T-beams  137 

ratio  of  thickness  to  span   62 

treated  as  continuous  beams   137 

bending  moment,  formula   137,  138 


INDEX.  163 

Reinforced  Concrete — Continued. 

steel   132,  135 

stresses   135  to  138 

test,  Portland  cement  133,  134 

accelerated,  for  neat  cement   134 

cement  and  sand  ,  134 

load    138 

tests,  load,  fire  and  water,  for  other  sys- 
tems   139 

walls,  thickness  of    134 

reinforcing   134 

weather  conditions    132 

wet  mixture    133 

Removal  of  temporary  sheds   36 

Repairs,  ordinary    5 

to  shingle  roofs    24 

or  removal  of  party  walls   15 

or  removal  of  frame  buildings    84 

Reviewing  stands   144,  145 

Riveted  work  31,  32 

Roof-gardens  over  theaters   42 

ROOFS,  carrying  capacity    28 

mansard    18 

over  elevators    65 

shingle    24 

gutters   25,  26 

planking  and  sheathing    24 

scuttles    25 

S 

Sand    11 

Scuttles    25 

SECOND-CLASS  BUILDINGS  defined    58 

egress  from  basement   70 

fire-escapes,  iron,  required    102 

tower,  required  (see  pp.  26,  73)  68,  69 

ropes  and  chain,  required  106,  107 

hallways  and  stairways  to  be  lighted   107 

height  limit    59 

defined   70 

red  lights,  gongs  and  notices   108 

roof  over  shafts    65 


164 


INDEX. 


Second-class  Buildings,   shafts  and  enclosures 

 64.  to  66 

bottom  floor  of    65 

roof  over    65 

trap-doors  in  lieu  of   65,  66 

stairways  and  enclosures  (see  pp.  13,  26, 

73)   64,  65 

walls,  battlement   63,  64 

brick   11,  12 

fireproof  partition    63 

openings  in    63 

foundation   9,  10 

party    64 

Shafts  and  enclosure  walls  64  to  66 

light  and  air,  in  tenements   72 

Shearing  strain  on  rivets   32 

stresses  for  concrete   135  to  138 

Sheathing  of  roofs   24 

SHEDS,  coal   37,  81 

dwellings   36,  37 

lumber   37,  81 

shelter   37,  84  f 

temporary,  while  building   36  ^ 

wharf   37,  81 

permit  may  be  revoked   37 

Sningle  roofs,  repairs   24 

Sidewalks,  platform  over  while  building   94 

Sills  of  hollow  concrete  blocks    123 

of  stone,  etc   27 

Skeleton  walls    63 

Slabs,  reinforced  concrete,  composition   133 

ratio  of  area  to  thickness    137 

Slow-burning  construction  defined   58 

Smoke  fines   19,  20 

Smoke  pipes  of  heaters   21 

Soil,  pressure  on   8 

Specifications  (see  plans  and  specifications). 

Spires    62 

Sprinklers,  automatic,  in  theaters  52,  143 

in  First-class  buildings    60 

STAIRWAYS  in  business,  manufacturing,  etc., 

buildings  13,  26,  64,  65,  73 

of  fire-escapes,  Ill,  112 


INDEX. 


165 


Stairways,  tower,  in  business,  manufacturing, 


etc.,  building's   26,  64 

in  theaters   41,  44,  49,  50 

in  tenement  houses    73 

Standard  fire  doors  and  shutters   07 

to  be  closed  at  nights   68 

Stands,  reviewing   144,  145 

Steam  boilers    22 

engines    90 

STEEL  beams  and  concrete  footings   8,  9 

beams  and  girders  (see  beams  and  girders). 

trusses  or  girders  to  support  floors    13 

and  iron  construction   31  to  35 

to  be  cleaned  and  painted    34 

in  reinforced  concrete   132,  135 

Steps  extending  into  footways    90 

STONE  ashlar  and  facing    17 

bearing  blocks    28 

sills    27 

walls,  foundation  of  dwellings,  thickness.  9 

how  laid    10 

party    18 

Stores  (see  business,  manufacturing,  etc.,  build- 
ings). 

Stories,  maximum  height   13 

Stovepipes   21 

Strength,  ultimate  compressive,  of  new  building 

material   119 

of  hollow  concrete  blocks    128 

STRESSES,  ultimate,  for  steel,  iron  and  wood 

 28,  29 

basis    30 

reinforced  concrete   135  to  138 

STREETS,  asphalt,  mortar  beas  on    95 

Arch  Street,  revised  lines   97 

Chestnut  Street,  revised  lines   97 

Walnut  Street,  revised  lines    96 

width,  minimum,  for  building  (30  feet). 98,  99 

(40  feet)....  100 

Stud  partitions    23 

Supports,  temporary,  while  building   30 


166 


INDEX. 


T 

TABLES  showing 

Allowable  unit  stresses  for  iron,  steel  and 

concrete   135,  136 

Minimum    thickness    of    brick    walls  in 

building-s  26'  x  75'  —  125'    12 

Pressure  allowable  on  brickwork,  concrete 

and  masonry    29 

Ultimate  stresses  for  steel,  iron  and  wood  29 
Number  of  tower  fire-escapes  required  per 

floor  areas   69 

Temporary  frame  churches    80 

frame  sheds  while  building-   36 

supports  while  building-   30 

TENEMENT  HOUSES  defined  (see  also  business, 
mfg-.,    etc.,    buildings;    First-,    Second-,  and 

Third-class  building-s)    75 

corridors    72 

fire-escapes,  iron    102 

tower  (see  also  pp.  26,  68,  69)    73 

rope  and  chain    106 

lig-ht  and  air  shafts  (see  also  pp.  64-66) ...  72 

open  space    71 

rooms,  dimensions  of   73 

receptacle  for  ashes    74 

red  lig-hts^  g-ong-s  and  notices   107 

stairways  and  hallways  (see  also  pp.  13, 

26,  64,  65)    73 

scuttles  in  roof   25 

window^s  71  to  73 

water-closets   73,  74 

to  be  fireproof  (see  also  p.  59)    74 

Terra-cotta  blocks  in  walls   14 

fine  linings  19,  20 

TESTS  of  cement  used  in  hollow  concrete  blocks  124 

in  reinforced  concrete  133,  134 

fireproof  floors   35,  61,  62 

fire-escapes,  iron  103,  104 

hollow  concrete  blocks  126,  127 

new  building  materials   116  to  120 

manner  of  making  118,  119 

load,  on  reinforced  concrete    138 

load,  fire  and  water,  for  other  systems...  139 


INDEX. 


167 


THEATERS,  construction  and  equipment  (see 
also   business,   mfg.,   etc.,   buildings;  First-, 


Second-,  and  Third-class  buildings)  38  to  55 

art  galleries,  etc   42 

approved  by  Bureaus  of  Building  Inspec- 
tion and  Fire    38 

auditorium,    separate    from    stage  and 

rooms   43,  44 

aisles  in  auditorium   47,  48 

balconies    41 

battlement  walls  (see  p.  139)   42  to  44 

boilers,  steam,  location  of   51 

border    decorations    around  proscenium 

opening   142 

must  comply  with  provisions  of  this  sec- 
tion   38 

closed  by  Mayor   39,  54 

corridors   40,  41 

court,  open,  construction  of  39,  40 

curtain,  fireproof  (see  pp.  139-142)    44 

counterweights    46 

capacity  of  foyers,  lobbies,  etc   48 

doors  and  doorways  40,  47,  48 

dressing  rooms  in  fly  galleries   47 

exits  and  entrances  39,  41,  42,  48  to  51,  54 

*'EXIT"  notices  to  be  posted   54 

front  of   39 

fly  galleries   46 

floors  to  be  fireproof   46 

foyer,  capacity    48 

fire  extinguishing  apparatus  51,  52 

controlled  by  Fire  Bureau    54 

fire  walls  (see  pp.  139,  140)   42  to  44 

Fire  Bureau  to  control  light,  heat  and  fire 

apparatus    54 

galleries  to  be  fireproof   46 

heating  apparatus    51 

controlled  by  Fire  Bureau   54 

license  may  be  refused   38 

lobbies,  capacity  of   48 

lighting  appliances  (see  p.  143)  53,  54 

controlled  by  Fire  Bureau   54 

Mayor  may  refuse  to  license    38 

Mayor  may  close  39,  54 


168 


INDEX. 


Theaters,  metal  skylights    45 

offices  in    42 

orchestra  over  stage   44 

proscenium  and  openings  in  (see  pp.  139, 

140)    44 

passage  leading  to  stairway,  width  of   49 

passageways    39 

rigging  loft    46 

roof-garden  over   42 

roof  to  be  fire  proof   46 

scenery  to  be  fireproof  (see  p.  143)    46 

skylights,  metal  (see  p.  143)    45 

sprinklers  (see  p.  143)    52 

stairways  and  staircases  41,  44,  49,  50 

stores   42 

storage  rooms    43 

seats  in  auditorium   47,  48 

steam  boilers,  location    51 

standpipes    51 

workshops    43 

no  portion  to  be  used  for  certain  purposes  43 

THIRD-CLASS  BUILDINGS  defined    58 

egress  from  basement    70 

fire-escapes,  iron    102 

tower  (see  also  pp.  26,  73)   68,  69 

rope  and  chain   106,  107 

floor  areas  in   63 

hallways  and  stairways  to  be  lighted   107 

height  limit   \   59 

height  defined    70 

red  lights,  gongs  and  notices   108 

shafts  and  enclosures   64  to  66 

bottom  floor  of    65 

roof  over   65 

trap-doors  in  lieu  of  65,  66 

stairways  and  enclosures  (see  pp.  13,  26, 

73)   64,  65 

trap-doors  in  lieu  of  shaft  65,  66 

walls,  battlement    64 

brick   11,  12 

flreproof  partition   63 

foundation   9,  10 

party   64 


INDEX.  169 

THICKNESS  OF  WALLS,  brick,  for  dwellings, 

etc  17,  18 

for     business,     mfg-.,     etc.,  build- 
ings  11  to  13 

foundation  for  business,  mfg.,  etc.,  build- 
ings  9,  10 

for  dwellings,  etc  9,  10 

curtain   13,  34 

hollow  concrete  blocks    121 

stone  party    18 

reinforced  concrete    134 

Tie  anchors   14 

Timber  not  to  be  used  in  walls  23,  24 

Tops  of  furnaces  and  boilers   21 

Towers,  observation    62 

Tower  fire-escapes  26,  68,  69,  73 

formula   113,  114 

Tower  stairways   26,  64 

Trap-doors  in  lieu  of  shafts   65,  66 

Trimmer  arches    20 

Trimmers   23 

Trusses  for  floor  supports   13 

U 

ULTIMATE  compressive  strength  of  hollow  con- 
crete blocks    128 

new  building  material   119 

live  loads,  formula   116 

stresses  of  steel,  iron  and  wood  28,  29 

Underpinning  with  stone    10 

V 

« 

Vacant  lots  to  be  fenced  100,  101 

Vault  walls    38 

Vaults,  privy   92 

Vertical  loads  and  stresses  on  columns   32 

W 

WALLS,  area    38 

battered    10 

curtain  13,  34 

encroachment  over  party  line    93 

hollow  brick    14 


170 


INDEX. 


Walls,  hollow  concrete  blocks,  thickness   121 

lining-  (reinforcing-)    16 

non-bearing    12 

old,  increase  in  height   16 

reinforced  concrete    131 

shaft  and  stairway  13,  26,  64  to  66,  73 

stone,  how  laid    10 

underpinning    10 

vault    38 

to  be  anchored  or  bonded   14 

not  to  be  carried  more  than  two  stories 

in  advance    14 

not  to  be  furred  vsdth  wood    68 

(See  battlement  walls;  brick  walls;  foun- 
dation walls;  party  walls,  etc.) 

Walnut  Street,  revised  lines  of   96 

Warehouses  (see  business,  mfg.,  etc.,  buildings) 

Water  spouts    24 

Wells,  light,  of  iron  or  steel   13 

light  and  air  in  tenements   72 

privy    92 

Wet  mixture,  reinforced  concrete    133 

Width  of  streets  to  be  at  least  30  feet  98,  99 

40  feet   100 

of  Arch  Street    97 

of  Chestnut  Street   97 

of  Walnut  Street  ,   96 

Wind  bracing    33 

pressure    33 

Window  openings    26 

sills    27 

Windows,  bay,  bulk  and  oriel  81,  82 

dormer   24 

Wired  glass   64,  67 

Wood  cornices   25,  26 

platform  over  sidewalks  while  building. . .  94 

posts  and  columns,  formula   115 

furring  against  chimneys   20 

furring  against  flues    23 

permissible  in  First-class  buildings    61 

Y 

Yard  space  to  dwellings    19 

to  tenements    71 


( 


I 


Mill 


